Cerebellar atrophy in systemic lupus erythematosus

Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is common; this is especially so in patients with positive antiphospholipid antibody. However, cerebellar involvement is very unusual. In our institution, we have seen 150 cases of SLE over the last 10 years; however, this is the only patient who has cerebellar involvement due to SLE. The patient had no other neurological deficit, and no other cause apart from her SLE to explain her cerebellar ataxia. Her antiphospholipid antibody was negative. The patient showed some improvement on high-dose steroids and azathioprin.