title: [Transverse myelitis in systemic lupus erythematosus].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare complication in patients with systemic lupus erithematosus (SLE). We reviewed a series of our SLE patients to determine the prevalence of TM, and evaluate the clinical characteristics, medical tests, evolution and response to the treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients with TM were identified and underwent a neurological evaluation, MRI, electrophysiologic study and were all subjected to the same treatment. A descriptive statistical study was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a prevalence of 0.92% in our patients with SLE. Eighty three point three per cert had antiphospholipid antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant. The MRI confirmed the diagnosis in 5 cases. Of the 5 patients with antiphospholypid antibodies, 3 were anticoagulated or took aspirin with a good neurological outcome, leaving 2 of them without posterior complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found a prevalence similar to that observed in other series, around 1%. The high prevalence of antiphospholypid antibodies in these patients, with good outcome in those anticoagulated or treated with antiplatelet agents suggests an important pathogenic role in the development of TM, and emphasized the possibility of adding to the standard treatment, antiplatelet agents or anticoagulation.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Colagenosis. Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío. Sevilla. España.
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Velloso Feijoo
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García Hernández
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ocaña Medina
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González León
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garrido Rasco
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez Román