Jaw Dystonia and Reversible Basal Ganglia Changes as an Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Symmetric leukoencephalopathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review of a distinctive neurorheumatologic syndrome

BACKGROUND

A symmetric leukoencephalopathy can occur in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often as a first manifestation of underlying rheumatologic disease. Recognition of this distinctive syndrome can prompt investigation for SLE when undiagnosed, or prompt treatment initiation when the diagnosis is already known. Earlier recognition of this syndrome could lead to more effective treatment of the disease.

METHODS

Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features of three patients were described from an academic medical center in the United States with treatment dates between 2015 and 2022. A systematic review of literature from 1991 to 2023 yielded data for an additional 23 patients.

RESULTS

Twenty-six total patients with symmetric leukoencephalopathy were included in this study. The median age of the patients was 37 years (range 10-69), 22 patients (85 %) were female, and 4 (15 %) were male. Fourteen of 26 patients (54 %) had this as the first clinical manifestation of SLE. Contrast enhancement was present on MRI brain in 3/26 (88 %) patients. Twenty patients (77 %) were treated with pulse-dose steroids, and all but one patient received some immunomodulatory therapy. Seven patients (27 %) progressed to death. No meaningful predictive differences were found between patients who survived and those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

In this case series and literature review patients developed symmetric leukoencephalopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus most often as the first clinical manifestation of SLE. Clinicians should consider this syndrome in any patient with acute onset of symmetric leukoencephalopathy on brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Movement disorders in systemic autoimmune diseases: Clinical spectrum, ancillary investigations, pathophysiological considerations

With the advances in neuroimmunology especially due to the discovery of new neuronal antibodies, the recognition of treatable antibody-related movement disorders has recently received much attention. In contrast, the identification and characterisation of movement disorders associated with systemic autoimmune diseases remains a substantially unexplored area. Beyond the classic few associations such as chorea and antiphospholipid syndrome, or ataxia and coeliac disease, movement disorders have been reported in association with several systemic autoimmune diseases, however a clear image of clinical phenotypes, investigations, and treatment outcomes in these conditions has never been drawn. In this review, we analyse data from approximately 300 cases and summarise the epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic features of movement disorders associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, and the available knowledge about treatment and outcomes. We highlight that movement disorders in systemic autoimmune conditions are frequently the only or among a few presenting manifestations and are mostly treatable disorders responding to immunotherapy or dietary modifications. We point out the pertinent combination of clinical features and investigations which can suggest the underlying autoimmune nature of these movement disorders, and thus address the most appropriate treatment.

Clinical presentation of a neuropsychiatric lupus patient with symmetrical basal ganglia lesions containing cytotoxic oedema cores surrounded by vasogenic oedema

Neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are diverse, but involvement of basal ganglia is rare. We describe here a 28-year-old woman with NPSLE presenting aseptic meningitis accompanied by elevated interleukin-6 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid, who developed symmetrical basal ganglia lesions, containing a cytotoxic oedematous core, surrounded by vasogenic oedema upon magnetic resonance imaging. We were able to observe these lesions from a de novo appearance during the disease onset to its disappearance during immunosuppressive treatment. Reversibility upon immunosuppressive treatment indicated that autoimmune mediated mechanisms could contribute to the basal ganglia lesions in NPSLE.