Arthritis, fever, and wheeze / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic and differential diagnostic points in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated with fever and pulmonary diseases. MethodsFull clinical analysis was performed for a 55-year old patient with arthritis, fever, and wheeze. ResultsThe clinical pictures of the patient were consistent with those of RA. Computed tomography(CT) revealed interstitial lung diseases and intrapulmonary cavities. Antifungal agents were given experimentally, and the intrapulmonary cavities disappeared finally, thus the patient was diagnosed as RA, concurrently complicated with interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fungal infection. ConclusionThe possibility of pulmonary fungal infection should be considered in RA patients who presented with fever and intrapulmonary cavities.