Abstract: Objective To study the clinical features of SLE patients with central nerve system involvement(CNS-SLE) and investigate the significance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) change in diagnosis of CNS-SLE. Methods One hundred and twenty SLE in-patients with CNS involvement were collected. The clinical manifestations and CSF test (including protein, sugar, Cl, and cell count) results in these patients were analyzed. Results Headache was the most common symplom in 38.3% of CNS-SLE patients. Other common manifestations were acute confusion, seizure, psychosis, vomiting, hemiplegia, memory decrease, dysphrasia in 4.16% of CNS-SLE. MR imaging provided more sensitive modality for the diagnosis (in 60.0%) of CNS-SLE than that of CT (in 33.3%). High CSF pressure was the most common abnormality (mean 1.85±0.80 kPa). Mean protein quantity of CSF was 811.4±708.6 mg/L, higher than that in normal subjects. Mean cell count in CSF was (88.6±448.3)×10⁶/L. Sugar content in CSF were approximately normal. Conclusion The clinical features of CNS-SLE are varied. MRI is more sensitive than CT in the diagnosis of CNS-SLE. Hyperpressure, increased protein concentration and increased cell count in CSF are marked abnormalities.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus, systemic, Central nervous system diseases, Laboratory techniques and procedures