Cerebellar ataxia as a primary manifestation of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Issue 2 (4th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sy, Marie Charmaine C; Reyes, Nikolai Gil D; Zamora, Geraldine T; Fernandez, Marc Laurence L
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 14:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-04
• Subjects: neurology -- epilepsy and seizures -- brain stem / cerebellum -- rheumatology -- systemic lupus erythematosus; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Acute cerebellar ataxia is a rare primary manifestation of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). We report a case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with gait instability, behavioural changes and new-onset seizures. The tempo of disease progression was explained by an autoimmune cause, eventually fulfilling the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient's neurological symptoms improved markedly following administration of steroids and immunomodulators. A review of literature on cerebellar ataxia in NPSLE and a summary of all reported cases to date are also presented.