J Korean Pediatr Soc.  1998 Jun;41(6):831-836.

A Case of Transverse Myelitis associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Han YS
• Park SY
• Song MS
• Hwang TG

Abstract

Transverse myelitis is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its prognosis is very poor including death or severe neurologic sequelae. We report a 14-year-old girl with transverse myelitis who was not exactly diagnosed as SLE before the onset of neurologic symptoms. Transverse myelitis was diagnosed based on the clinical presentations, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and MRI findings. We employed aggressive treatment with pulse methylprednisolone for acute episodes followed by monthly cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. For the first several months, clinical improvement of the neurologic impairment was noted, but unfortunately her neurological course was on exacerbation.

Keyword

Transverse Myelitis; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Pulse Methylprednisolone; Pulse Cyclophosphamide

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cyclophosphamide
Female
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Methylprednisolone
Myelitis, Transverse*
Neurologic Manifestations
Prognosis
Cyclophosphamide
Methylprednisolone