J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2000 Dec;7(4):420-425.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presented as Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome

• Ahn SH
• Lee JJ
• Kim JH
• Jung WY
• Roh J
• Kim DG
• Koh HK

Abstract

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome is characterized clinically by raised intracranial pressure without ventriculomegaly. Several conditions known to interfere with CSF absorption pathways at the level of the arachnoid villi can produce the pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune, inflammatory and chronic disorder characterized by multi-organ involvement including the nervous system. Clinical evidence of central nervous system involvement includes headache, seizure, psychosis and altered mental status. However, pseudotumor cerebri syndrome has been reported infrequently as a primary feature of central nervous system involvement or a complication of SLE. A 19 year-old female was admitted with seizure preceded by headache and blurred vision. Ophthalmoscopic examination showed papilledema. The diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome was confirmed by increased intracranial pressure(>550mmH2O) in the absence of any abnormal radiological findings of the brain. We described a 19-year-old girl whose first clinical manifestation was pseudotumor cerebri syndrome, which was diagnosed as SLE later. Therefore pseudotumor cerebri syndrome may be the part of the spectrum of clinical manifestation of SLE.

Keyword

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome; Systemic lupus erythematosus

MeSH Terms

Absorption
Arachnoid
Brain
Central Nervous System
Diagnosis
Female
Headache
Humans
Intracranial Pressure
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Nervous System
Papilledema
Pseudotumor Cerebri*
Psychotic Disorders
Seizures
Young Adult