Article

Identification of brain lesions in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus by magnetic resonance scanning

  1. W. Joseph Mccune MD*,
  2. Anne Macguire MD,
  3. Alex Aisen MD,
  4. Stephen Gebarski MD

Article first published online: 29 NOV 2005

DOI: 10.1002/art.1780310202

Issue

Arthritis & Rheumatism

Arthritis & Rheumatism

Volume 31, Issue 2, pages 159–166, February 1988

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mccune, W. J., Macguire, A., Aisen, A. and Gebarski, S. (1988), Identification of brain lesions in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus by magnetic resonance scanning. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 31: 159–166. doi: 10.1002/art.1780310202

Author Information

  1. Departments of Medicine and Radiology, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor.

*University of Michigan Hospitals, 3918 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–0358

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 NOV 2005
  2. Article first published online: 29 NOV 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 29 JUN 1987
  4. Manuscript Received: 4 AUG 1986

Funded by

  • Michigan Lupus Foundation
  • Northwest Ohio Lupus Foundation

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Abstract

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging in 28 systemic lupus erythematosus patients who had experienced 30 acute neuropsychiatric events showed focal brain lesions in 16 of 30 events (53%) and low brain volume (atrophy) in 20 of 30 events (67%). Definite focal lesions were significantly more frequent in patients with clinically localized neurologic deficits (8 of 8, 100%), or seizures (5 of 6, 83%) than in patients without such localizing signs (3 of 16, 19%). Many of these lesions were occult on intravenous contrast-enhanced x-ray computed tomography. In 2 patients, lesions in gray matter resolved within 2 or 3 weeks, in association with clinical improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging is an important technique for detecting the extent of brain injury in cerebral lupus.

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