Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Musculoskeletal bone, Musculoskeletal soft tissue, Neuroradiology brain, CT, MR, Diagnostic procedure, Connective tissue disorders
Authors:
W. Morales Borrero1, L. R. Rodriguez-Ortiz2, F. G. Rodriguez-Ruiz3, A. Bravo4, J. Vidal2; 1San Juan/US, 2San Juan, PR/US, 3Caguas, Puerto Rico/US, 4San Juan, PR - PUERTO RICO/US
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-1320
Background
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 College of Rheumatology (ACR) or the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC).
While radiographic findings are not among the diagnostic criteria,
the role of imaging studies does play a role in management,
identification and prevention of potentially life-threatening sequelae.
The purpose of this presentation is to review some of the imaging findings of SLE every radiologist should know.