J Rheum Dis.  2013 Feb;20(1):56-58. 10.4078/jrd.2013.20.1.56.

Myoclonus as an Anticipatory Symptom of Diffuse Central Nervous System Involvement in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Lee MJ
• Lee K
• Lee J

• KMID: 2223051
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2013.20.1.56

Abstract

The clinical manifestations of nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are highly diverse and their pathogenic mechanisms are incompletely understood. Neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) poses difficulty in making the proper diagnosis, especially in circumstances where its initial symptoms are diffuse neuropsychiatric symptoms. We describe a 43-year old woman who exhibited a myoclonic jerk of the abdominal wall, followed shortly by acute confusion, which was attributed to SLE. Therapy with high dose corticosteroids completely reversed the symptoms. Myoclonus can be an anticipatory symptom of diffuse neurologic dysfunction in patients with NPSLE.

Keyword

NPSLE; Diffuse neuropsychiatric symptoms; Myoclonus

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Wall
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Central Nervous System
Female
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System
Myoclonus
Nervous System
Neurologic Manifestations
Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Figure

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  Figure 1. Electroencephalogram was characterized excessive beta wave (arrows) at the anterior and temporal zone.

Reference

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