Myelopathy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Abstract
SINCE Osler first described focal neurological abnormalities associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 1903,1 there have been many similar reports. Most commonly described have been acute organic mental syndromes,2 cerebrovascular disorders,3 and seizures.4 Chorea,5 Guillain-Barré Syndrome,6,7 subarachnoid hemorrhage,8 peripheral neuropathy,9,10 and cranial nerve palsies11 are not infrequent. Since the advent of the LE cell preparation in 1948, the diagnosis of SLE has been made with increasing frequency and the presenting picture has indeed proved to be varied. Neurological abnormality may be the initial or only manifestation of the disease.7,12 Myelopathy, however, has rarely been reported as a complication of SLE; there are thus far only seven definite cases. It is the purpose of this paper to report four additional cases of myelopathy including two in which it was the initial and major manifestation of SLE. Report of Cases