Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease, are associated with a large number of extraintestinal manifestations. Pulmonary manifestations are infrequently seen in patients with IBD. Moreover, serositis including pleural and pericardial manifestations in UC is rare.
We report a case of UC with acute pleurisy in a 43-year-old man; review literature; and discuss the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment.
Active duodenal ulcer was found using gastroscopy. Multiple ulcers in segmented pattern were noticed in the left hemi-colon using colonoscopy. An UC in active stage was confirmed subsequently by histology.
The patient was treated with bifidobacterium tetravaccine tablets, oral mesalazine and mesalazine enemas. The omeprazole and mucosal protective agents were given to treat the duodenal ulcer.
As follow-up, the therapy including oral mesalazine and infliximab regularly was continued and the patient condition was stabilized.
Pulmonary involvement should be considered in patients who develop pleurisy in UC. Infliximab is considered the better available treatment for patients presenting with pleurisy in UC.