title: Reversible parkinsonism in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Parkinsonism as a manifestation of central nervous system (CNS) lupus is extremely rare. We report the first patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed a reversible parkinsonian syndrome associated with enhancing subcortical lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Following treatment with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide, her bradyphrenia, bradykinesia, hypophonia, rigidity, and abnormal gait progressively improved. Three months after she commenced treatment, repeat MRI scanning demonstrated resolution of the abnormal subcortical white matter enhancement. Our case illustrates unusual clinico-radiologic correlates of reversible parkinsonism in a SLE patient; these findings suggest that disruption of the subcortical frontal pathways may be a possible pathophysiologic mechanism for parkinsonism in cerebral lupus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, 169608, Singapore. gnrtek@sgh.com.sg
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Auchus
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone