Renal Vein Thrombosis, Nephrotic Syndrome, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Four cases of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with the nephrotic syndrome and renal vein thrombosis are reported; 6 similar cases previously noted in the literature are reviewed. Renal biopsy in each of the cases showed changes consistent with the membranous type of lupus nephropathy. The exclusive appearance of this pattern in relation to renal vein thrombosis in other forms of renal disease is discussed. The occurrence of renal vein thrombosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and the nephrotic syndrome supports the evidence that the thrombosis is a complication rather than a cause of the nephrotic syndrome. The presence of pleuritic pain in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and the nephrotic syndrome should alert the clinician to the possibility of renal vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli. With appropriate diagnosis and anticoagulation therapy, the patients had a benign course during 7-48 mo. of follow-up.