[Neurological syndromes in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus]

Seven cases of SLE with concomitant neurological syndromes are reported. In 2 cases brain stroke with right-sided hemiplegia and aphasia developed, in the remaining cases brain-stem stroke with subarachnoid haemorrhage, progressive hemiparesis and signs of intracranial hypertension, chorea, status epilepticus in terminal uraemia were observed. In one case myasthenia coexisted. Severe neurological syndromes were preceded by signs of involvement of other organs and in most cases by low-grade signs of central nervous system involvement. Treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants resulted in significant improvement without complete remission. A retrospective survey of clinical material showed that modern therapeutic methods have improved the prognosis in systemic lupus erythematosus independently of central nervous system involvement.