To highlight some of the most common and rare manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus along with their imaging characteristics. Among the highlighted conditions included: Lupus-associated stroke, Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage, Lupus Enteritis and Avascular Necrosis of Bone structures. This review is aimed at medical students, residents and experienced physicians who wish to review common and rare manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease able to affect every organ system. Its precise etiology remains unknown. However, it is characterized by immunologic abnormalities and production of antinuclear antibodies. Clinical presentation is variable from patient to patient, but it is more common among women. Onset is usually between the second and fourth decade of life. At the present time, the diagnosis of SLE is based on subjective findings supported by laboratory studies, based on either the criteria established by the American...

Central Nervous System CNS Ischemia Overview: SLE is an independent factor for ischemic events in patients younger than 50 years of age. [1] Patients are most prone to suffer these events in the first 5 years following diagnosis. [1] Most common etiologies are cardiogenic emboli (i.e. Libman-Sacks endocarditis), antibody-mediated hypercoagulable state in Antiphospholipid Syndrome and platelet and fibrin thrombus formation. [1] Smaller lesions can be seen in cortical, or deep gray, areas believed to be secondary to endothelial hyperplasia and intimal fibrosis leading to vessel...

As suggested by this exhibtion work, SLE is among one of the greatest mimickers of modern medicine. High clinical suspicion and awareness when confronted by unusual clinical manifestations in young patients (particularly females) is imperative for quick identification and prevention of life-threatening sequelae.

Walter J. Morales-Borrero, MD University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Department of Radiology e-mail: [email protected]

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