Sudden death in rheumatoid arthritis: pulmonary embolism--a fatal complication of iliopsoas bursitis.

Sudden death resulting from embolic complications of iliopsoas bursitis has not been previously reported. This case report deals with a 48-year-old woman with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis who presented with symptoms suggestive of deep vein thrombosis. She was found to have complete occlusion of the femoral vein secondary to iliopsoas bursal inflammation and swelling. She died suddenly. At autopsy, a large pulmonary embolism was identified as the cause of death. This report should increase awareness of the incidence of iliopsoas bursitis in rheumatoid arthritis and its potential danger. Early and aggressive management approaches described herein might have prevented this fatality.