Cerebral large vessel vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Böckle, B C; Jara, D; Aichhorn, K; Junker, D; Berger, T; Ratzinger, G; Sepp, N T
• Is Part Of: Lupus. Volume 23:Number 13(2014)
• Page Start: 1417
• Page End: 1421
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: Large-vessel vasculitis -- neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus NPSLE; Systemic lupus erythematosus -- Periodicals; 616.772005
• DOI: 10.1177/0961203314541689
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-2033

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is defined by involvement of the central nervous system in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with a wide range of both neurological and psychiatric manifestations. Although its aetiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated, NPSLE seems to be a consequence of cerebral vascular pathology including thromboembolism, small-vessel vasculopathy and, in rare cases, true vasculitis. Cerebral vasculitis is rare, and cerebral large-vessel vasculitis in SLE is even more unusual. We report the case of a female patient with the diagnosis of SLE. She presented with stroke-like symptoms, headache and vertigo, and palpable purpura on her legs. Further investigations revealed that she suffered from both vasculitis of the cerebral large vessels and coexisting cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis.