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Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: a new therapeutic approach with intrathecal dexamethasone and methotrexate

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Summary

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica Medica I, Università “La Sapienza”, Viale del Policlinico, I-00161, Rome, Italy

    G. Valesini & R. Priori

  2. III Clinica Neurologica, Università “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    A. Francia

  3. Servizio di Immunologia Clinica, Ospedali Civile, Brescia, Italy

    G. Balestrieri, A. Tincani, P. Airo, R. Cattaneo & A. Zambruni

  4. I Divisione Neurologia, Ospedali Civile, Brescia, Italy

    B. Troianello

  5. Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, Genève, Switzerland

    M. Chofflon & P. A. Miescher

Authors
  1. G. Valesini
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  2. R. Priori
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  3. A. Francia
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  4. G. Balestrieri
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  5. A. Tincani
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  6. P. Airo
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  7. R. Cattaneo
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  8. A. Zambruni
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  9. B. Troianello
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  10. M. Chofflon
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  11. P. A. Miescher
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Valesini, G., Priori, R., Francia, A. et al. Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: a new therapeutic approach with intrathecal dexamethasone and methotrexate. Springer Semin Immunopathol 16, 313–321 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197524

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197524

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