Connective tissue disease mimicking multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome and systemic sclerosis may be associated with acute transverse myelitis and chronic relapsing neurological syndromes mimicking multiple sclerosis in the same individuals and/or their relatives. We now present three cases which suggest that there is a wide spectrum of connective tissue disorders mimicking multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. These cases demonstrate that the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis should be kept under constant review by searching for the development of connective tissue disorders in the patients or their relatives.