Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

A 22-year-old man presented to the emergency department with facial swelling, rash, and fatigue. Hehad a past medical history of pericarditis and pericardial effusion. His evaluation showed anemia and thrombocytopenia. He was admitted for intravenous administration of steroids, plasmapheresis, and workup of his anemia and thrombocytopenia. He was ultimately diagnosed with Evans syndrome as a presenting feature of systemic lupus erythematosus. Plasmapheresis was stopped but administration of steroids continued. His blood counts improved, and the facial swelling and rash subsided. Evans syndrome is an immunologic conundrum that requires early recognition and treatment.