Tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus.

SIR, We note with interest the report on spontaneous rupture of weight bearing tendons in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).' We report a case of rupture of a non-weight bearing tendon, namely the long head of biceps. A 35 year old woman had a six year history of SLE, which has been clinically quiescent since 1982. In January 1985 she sustained a fracture of the surgical neck of the left humerus with minimal displacement. This was treated conservatively, and she made an uneventful recovery. In August 1985 she presented with a one month history of spontaneous swelling in the left arm. Examination showed