MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE BRAIN AND CEREBRAL PROTON SPECTROSCOPY IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Objective. To investigate the prevalence and extent of cerebral change s in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by magnetic reso nance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Methods . SLE patients (47 women) and controls (25 women) underwent 1.5T MRI, A semiautomated segmentation technique calculated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain volumes. Proton MRS of the frontal and parieto-occipit al white matter yielded metabolite ratios of N-acetyl groups (NA), cho line, and creatine. Results. Compared with the control group, the SLE patients more often had cerebral atrophy on MRI (32% versus 0%), confi rmed by an increase in the CSF to intracranial volume ratio, The patie nts also had old infarcts and hemorrhages (8.5% versus 0%) and more sm all white matter lesions (23% versus 8% had >5 such lesions), MRS show ed relative reduction of NA peaks, Although no patient was studied whe n acutely ill, prior neurologic involvement was related to abnormal fi ndings. Conclusion. MRI and MRS are helpful in the investigation of ce rebral complications of SLE, There are chronic changes which may be is chemic in nature, Their precise cause, consequences, and prevention ar e current challenges.