Three rheumatologic emergencies: A sore toe, a cough, hypertension

ABSTRACT

Patients often present to internists with symptoms that can represent a minor illness or a rheumatologic emergency. This paper discusses the recognition and treatment of three rheumatologic emergencies: septic arthritis, alveolar hemorrhage as a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and scleroderma renal crisis.