title: Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: a new therapeutic approach with intrathecal dexamethasone and methotrexate.
abstract: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), neurological involvement has been reported to occur with frequencies ranging from 14% (severe cases) to 83% (mild forms included). In spite of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment, neuropsychiatric SLE may represent a serious problem of management. We describe three cases, one with acute transverse myelitis, one with hemiparesis, and one with signs of focal and diffuse cerebral dysfunction, in whom improvement following intrathecal therapy with methotrexate and dexamethasone was observed.
authors.affiliation: Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valesini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Priori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Francia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balestrieri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Airo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zambruni
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Troianello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chofflon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008727:Methotrexate