Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

lung, collapsed
See 
atelectasis.
lung transplant
Surgery to replace a diseased or
damaged lung with a healthy lung from an organ
donor. Lung transplant is sometimes done in tan-
dem with heart transplant. See also 
transplant.
lupus
A chronic inflammatory disease that is
caused by autoimmunity. Patients with lupus have in
their blood unusual antibodies that are targeted
against their own body tissues. Lupus can cause dis-
ease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and
nervous system. The first symptom is a red (or
dark), scaly rash on the nose and cheeks, often
called a butterfly rash because of its distinctive
shape. As inflammation continues, scar tissue may
form, including keloid scarring in patients prone to
keloid formation. The cause of lupus is unknown,
although heredity, viruses, ultraviolet light, and
drugs may all play a role. Lupus is more common in
women than in men, and although it occurs in all
ethnic groups, it is most common in people of
African descent. Diagnosis is made through obser-
vation of symptoms, and through testing of the
blood for signs of autoimmune activity. Early treat-
ment is essential to prevent progression of the dis-
ease. A rheumatologist can provide treatment for
lupus, and this treatment has two objectives: treat-
ing the difficult symptoms of the disease and treat-
ing the underlying autoimmune activity. It may
include use of steroids and other anti-inflammatory
agents, antidepressants and/or mood stabilizers,
intravenous immunoglobulin, and, in cases in
which lupus involves the internal organs,
chemotherapy. See also 
lupus, discoid; lupus ery-
thematosis, systemic.
lupus, discoid
A chronic inflammatory condi-
tion that is limited to the skin and is caused by an
autoimmune disease. Up to 10 percent of persons
with discoid lupus eventually develop systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE). Heredity, viruses, ultraviolet
light, and drugs may also be involved. Skin symp-
toms associated with discoid lupus include patchy
redness with areas of hyper- and hypopigmentation
that can cause scarring; and photosensitivity, or skin
rash in reaction to exposure to sunlight. Diagnosis
of discoid lupus may be made via medical history
and antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing. Treatment
is directed toward decreasing inflammation and/or
the level of autoimmune activity. Treatment methods
include avoidance of sun exposure and use of anti-
malarial medications (hydroxychloroquine and oth-
ers), local cortisone injections, Dapsone, and
immune-suppression medications. See also 
lupus;
lupus erythematosis, systemic.