A case of systemic lupus erythematosus with complex partial status epilepticus

We describe a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who had complex partial status epilepticus as the sole epileptic manifestation. The patient presented with a confusional state, initially considered to be psychotic in nature, due to SLE. However, the EEG demonstrated the epileptic etiology of her symptoms. In patients with lupus presenting with prolonged episodes of confusion and behavioural disturbance, an EEG should be performed, whenever possible during the episode, even in the absence of a previous history of epilepsy.