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Hydroxychloroqine induced dilated cardiomyopathy and lupus mastitis
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  1. Abdul Majid Wani1,
  2. Waleed Mohd Hussain2,
  3. Bothaina Abdul Shakour3,
  4. Mohamad Ibrahim Fatani2,
  5. Amer Mohd Khoujah4,
  6. Mubeena Akhtar2,
  7. Abdullah Ahmad Tawakul2,
  8. Mohd Saleem2
  1. 1
    Hera General Hospital, Medicine, 4a/201, Hera General, Hospital, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
  2. 2
    Hera General Hospital, Medicine, Hera General Hospital, Makkah, Western, 21955, Saudi Arabia
  3. 3
    Hera General Hospital, Radiology, Hera General Hospital, Makkah, Western, 21955, Saudi Arabia
  4. 4
    Natinal Guard Hospital, Medicine, National Guard Hospital, Jeddha, Western, 21955, Saudi Arabia
  1. Abdul Majid Wani, dr_wani_majid{at}yahoo.co.in

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0316

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    We report a unique case of a 26-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), who had been treated with hydroxychloroquine 400 mg/day from the age of 11 years, who presented with congestive cardiac failure. She was treated for heart failure with diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, but deteriorated and was readmitted, this time with the additional finding of pericardial effusion and painful left breast swelling. Echocardiography revealed dilated cardiac chambers with thin wall and septum and minimal pericardial effusion (figs 1 and 2). The patient was evaluated for breast swelling which, on examination, revealed tender, multiple nodular lumps in the left breast, the largest measuring 4 cm × 4 cm (fine needle aspiration cytology of the latter revealed degenerated fat cells and foci of calcification (fig 3); thus, a core biopsy was undertaken to rule out malignancy. A mammogram was also performed and revealed unusual findings consistent with lupus mastitis (fig 4), which was supported by biopsy which revealed panniculitis (fig 3). Since the patient was being evaluated to rule out malignancy, computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and breast ultrasonography were performed and characteristic findings of lupus mastitis were noted (figs 5 and 6). Immune markers such as antinuclear antibody (ANA) and dsDNA were absent at this time, the latter being a marker of lupus activity, thus supporting the hypothesis that the cardiomyopathy was caused by the hydroxychloroquine. Withdrawal of the drug resulted in a dramatic improvement of the patient, both clinically and radiologically, within 3 months.

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Echocardiograph showing a thin septum, dilated cardiac chambers, and thin ventricular wall caused by hydroxychloroquine cardiomyopathy.

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Echocardiograph showing dilated ventricular cavity, thinned wall and minimal pericardial effusion.

    Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Breast biopsy showing panniculitis (fat degeneration, periseptal fibrosis, lymphocyte infiltration). Haematoxylin and eosin.

    Figure 4
    Figure 4

    Unusual mammogram showing diffuse calcifications in lupus mastitis.

    Figure 5
    Figure 5

    Computed tomography chest scan showing breast calcifications and minimal pericardial effusion.

    Figure 6
    Figure 6

    Ultrasonography of left breast showing diffuse calcifications as acoustic shadowing in lupus mastitis.

    The breast lumps were consistent with lupus mastitis as the mammography findings of diffuse calcifications have been reported in only a few case reports. The cardiotoxicity of antimalarials is well reported in case reports1 but dilated cardiomyopathy due to hydroxychloroquine is unusual. The unusual echocardiographic images of cardiomyopathy due to hydroxychloroquine as well as the radiological and pathological features of lupus mastitis2,3 are presented.

    Acknowledgments

    We are thankful to Wjiah Anjum and Dr Osama for their support in preparing the manuscript.

    REFERENCES

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      . Coarse calcifications by mammography in lupus mastitis. Arch Dermatol 2006; 142: 398–9.
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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: none.

    • Patient consent: Patient/guardian consent was obtained for publication