MRI and the brain in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect any part of the central nervous system (CNS) from the cerebrum to the cauda eqina, giving rise to diverse neurological mainfestations. Despite clinically apparent symptoms and signs, imaging will commonly be normal while at times the magnitude of changes demonstrated on MRI may be out of proportion to the clinical presentation. We describe the MRI techniques used in CNS imaging and the pattern of presentation in SLE.