Middle cerebral artery involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as a stroke--an unusual initial

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Performing Permanent Distal Middle Cerebral with Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in Aged Rats to Study Cortical Ischemia with Sustained Disability
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Performing Permanent Distal Middle Cerebral with Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in Aged Rats to Study Cortical Ischemia with Sustained Disability

Published on: February 23, 2016

Panagiotis A Sideras1, Joel Jacob, Amitasha Mann

  • 1Mount Sinai School of Medicine/Queens Hospital Center, New York, NY 11432, USA. panagiotis.sideras@mssm.edu

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
|August 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often impacts African Americans, leading to accelerated atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD). This case highlights a rare initial presentation of stroke in a premenopausal woman with newly diagnosed SLE.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects African Americans, presenting with diverse systemic involvements.
  • Accelerated atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) is a major cause of morbidity in SLE patients.
  • ASVD typically occurs later in life and is uncommon in premenopausal women.

Observation:

  • A 44-year-old African American woman with newly diagnosed SLE presented with subacute stroke symptoms.
  • The patient had no significant traditional atherosclerotic risk factors.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) manifestations are rare at the initial diagnosis of SLE.

Findings:

  • The case illustrates an unusual initial presentation of SLE.
  • Altered blood rheology in SLE may contribute to premature ASVD.
  • Stroke as an initial manifestation of SLE in this demographic is notably rare.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering SLE in young, premenopausal women presenting with stroke, especially those from at-risk populations.
  • Early recognition and management of SLE may help mitigate the risk of premature cardiovascular events.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking SLE, altered rheology, and early-onset ASVD in African Americans.

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