Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in systemic lupus erythematosus

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] findings in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. Thirty female SLE patients were included in this study. Their age ranged from 19 to 60 years. All patients were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations, disease activity assessment using SLE Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI], assessment of SLE-related disease damage according to the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics [SLICC] damage index and MRI study. Out of the 30 SLE patients, thirteen [43.33%] had neuropsychiatric [NP] manifestations, and twelve [40%] had Abnormal MRI findings. Eight of the 13 patients with NP [61.54%] manifestations had abnormal MRI findings. The SLE patients with NP manifestations had statistically significant [p<0.05] higher frequency of the abnormal MRI findings than the SLE patients without NP manifestations. The patients with abnormal MRI findings had statistically significant [p<0.05] higher SLICC damage score than the patients with normal MRI. There were statistically nonsignificant [p>0.05] differences between the patients with abnormal MRI findings and the patients with normal MRI regarding the age, disease duration, SLEDAI, C3, C4, anti-ds-DNA antibodies, use of glucocorticoids ever or current use and the prednisolone dose at the study. Our results suggest that MRI has an important role in the management of SLE patients