A Case of Confluence: Pericardial Effusion Unveiling Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism and Atypical Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Young Female with Syncope

Abstract

This case report presents a remarkable convergence of autoimmune diseases in a young female patient who initially presented with syncope and was subsequently diagnosed with pericardial effusion-induced cardiac tamponade. Through meticulous investigation, she was found to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis alongside an atypical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), marked by a unique form of antinuclear antibody positivity. Treatment involved a combination of steroids, immunosuppressants, and thyroid hormone replacement. This intricate association between intersecting autoimmune disorders, with atypical presentations and cardiovascular manifestations, underscores the complexity of autoimmune pathology and the importance of a high index of suspicion in reaching accurate diagnoses.