Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy in Undiagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder known to affect the nervous system by direct neuronal damage, vasculitis, or pathologic mechanisms indirectly induced by immune mechanisms related to the production and deposition of immune complexes. SLE has a wide range of clinical manifestations due to the involvement of almost every organ system of the body. SLE presents with serositis, mucositis, arthralgia, glomerulopathy, hematological, cutaneous, and hematological manifestations. Among the neurological manifestations of SLE, posterior reversible encephalopathy is rarely described in the literature. We report a case of posterior reversible encephalopathy in a female patient who presented with seizures, altered mentation, headache, and blurry vision in the setting of undiagnosed SLE.

Keywords: posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; pres; seizure; sle; systemic lupus erythematosus.

Figure 1. Axial images of brain MRI showing patchy areas of hyperintense signals (white arrows) in cortical and subcortical areas of temporal, parietal (a, b), and occipital lobes (c).

MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.