Bilateral pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema in systemic lupus erythematosus

The association of pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been described extensively in the literature. We describe a 36 year-old man with SLE, complicated by bilateral pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema and pneumoperitoneum. Despite the treatment received, he died of respiratory failure.