Diagnostic challenge: hearing loss, autoimmune enteropathy and Kikuchi lymphadenopathy - An unusual debut of SLE

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can present in many ways and can be difficult to diagnose. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish the underlying disease, as SLE itself is known to cause gastrointestinal symptoms and even malabsorption. This case reflects the diagnostic challenges we faced during the long and complicated hospitalization of an adolescent with systemic compromise, febrile syndrome, malabsorption, elevated inflammatory markers, hearing loss, nephritis, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis.