Chronic lupus peritonitis with ascites.

A 28 year old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed chronic lupus peritonitis and ascites is described. Lupus peritonitis appeared with abdominal fullness, postprandial abdominal discomfort, and painless ascites. Four months later the patient developed vertigo, headaches, visual disturbances, serositis, and glomerulonephritis. Lupus peritonitis and the other disease manifestations responded to treatment with intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (four 1 g/m2 injections at one week intervals), oral azathioprine (200 mg daily), and diuretics.