title: The selective value of computed tomography of the brain in cerebritis due to systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and steroid effects on the brain were measured by computed tomography (CT). Of 14 patients with SLE cerebritis, 10 (71%) had marked cortical atrophy and 4 (29%) minimal atrophy. None were normal by CT. Controls included 22 patients with SLE without cerebritis receiving corticosteroids; this group had normal CT scans in 16 (73%) and minimal cortical atrophy in the remaining 6 (27%). Follow-up CT on 5 patients with cerebritis was unchanged. CT of the brain is a minimally invasive technique for documenting SLE cerebritis. CT may also help differentiate cerebritis from the neuropsychiatric side effects of corticosteroids.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D013256:Steroids