Cerebrospinal fluid and MRI findings in three patients with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Three patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of both multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined clinically, immunologically and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In all three patients MRI showed several high-signal lesions compatible with MS and, additionally, non-specific small white matter lesions suggesting small vessel occlusion were seen. In CSF the cytoimmunological abnormalities were variable and showed only slight to moderate immunoactivation within the CNS at the time of sampling.