Bone lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Routine joint radiographs of 125 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were studied. A total of 121 patients had a clinical history of articular symptoms. Cystic bone lesions were found in 51 patients (41%). The lesions, which were typically located subchondrally in the small joints of hands and feet, appeared as well-defined radiolucent areas surrounded by either normal bone or a narrow sclerotic zone. Nutritional disturbance in the bones, caused by the vasculitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, is proposed as a possible pathogenetic mechanism of the cystic lesions.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications; D001175:Arthrography; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged