MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS WITHOUT A HISTORY OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Objective. To determine the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without a history of neuropsychiatric symptoms and to correlate any MRI abnormal ities with the patient's other disease manifestations or treatment. Me thods. Prospective study of 32 consecutive patients with SLE without a history of neuropsychiatric symptoms, from inpatient and outpatient r heumatology services, who underwent MRI scan during a 3-year period. R esults. Five patients had MRI abnormalities consisting of white matter lesions or periventricular hyperintensities; this is similar to the p revalence of these abnormalities in the general population. Conclusion . The prevalence of silent brain MRI abnormalities is not increased in SLE patients who do not have a history of neuropsychiatric manifestat ions.