NORMOTENSIVE SCLERODERMA RENAL CRISIS - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THELITERATURE

A 58 year old man presented with skin manifestations of scleroderma wi thout systemic involvement. Within few weeks of oral corticosteroids a nd penicillamine therapy, rapidly progressive systemic sclerosis devel oped. The deterioration manifested by skin lesions, diffuse interstiti al restrictive lung disease, acute renal failure with normal blood pre ssure values, and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia compatible with he molytic uremic syndrome. Chronic renal failure developed and was treat ed by dialysis, but the patient died due to sepsis. The course of rena l involvement was normotensive; antihypertensive therapy was not presc ribed even once.. The association of scleroderma renal crisis with nor mal blood pressure is probably a rare and ominous combination.