Case Report: A Case Report on an 18-Year-Old Female with Cerebral Vasculitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

F1000Res. 2024 Jun 11:13:614. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.152704.1. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Cerebral vasculitis is a rare but severe complication of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), presenting significant challenges in management due to its potential for devastating neurological consequences and poor prognosis. We present a case of an 18-year-old female with known SLE who presented with seizures, declining cognitive function, and unresponsiveness. Neurological examination, laboratory investigations, and radiological imaging supported the diagnosis of cerebral vasculitis secondary to SLE. Despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, the patient's neurological status continued to deteriorate, leading to respiratory failure and multiorgan dysfunction. Ultimately, the patient succumbed to multiorgan failure attributed to severe CNS vasculitis and its complications. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and aggressive management of cerebral vasculitis in SLE while highlighting the need for further research into more effective therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: cerebral vasculitis; immunological dysfunction; multiorgan failure; neurological complications; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); treatment challenges.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / complications
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System* / complications
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System* / etiology

Grants and funding

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.