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[Transverse myelitis and systemic lupus erythematosus. A case report]
A Aillievi1, N Tangari, H Ferro
1División Clínica Médica, Hospital Juan A. Fernández, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Medicina
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause transverse myelitis, a severe spinal cord inflammation. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, though permanent paraplegia may still occur in some SLE patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Neurological complications, including transverse myelitis, can occur in SLE patients.
- Delayed diagnosis of SLE may impact treatment outcomes for associated complications.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old patient with belatedly diagnosed SLE developed transverse myelitis.
- The myelitis was preceded by nystagmus and accompanied by a nephritic sediment.
- The patient presented with paraplegia, a significant neurological deficit.
Findings:
- Treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide led to remission of neurological and renal symptoms.
- Despite treatment, the patient's paraplegia became permanent.
- A review of 46 published cases of transverse myelitis and SLE was conducted for comparison.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe neurological sequelae in SLE, even with treatment.
- The findings underscore the importance of prompt diagnosis and management of SLE and its complications.
- Further research into optimal treatment strategies for transverse myelitis in SLE is warranted to improve patient outcomes.