Clinical Problem Solving: A 38-year-Old Woman With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting With Headache, Nausea, and Vomiting

Abstract

A 38-year-old woman with migraine headaches and systemic lupus erythematosus with recent cessation of her immunosuppressive therapy presents with prolonged headache and hypertensive emergency. Her examination is notable for a peripheral right facial palsy and stable malar rash. There are no signs of systemic infection nor systemic symptoms of a lupus flare. Initial CT head reveals bilateral hypodensities in the basal ganglia. Within 8 hours of presentation, she develops right hemiplegia and becomes encephalopathic. MRI shows multifocal acute infarcts (most notably in the left basal ganglia), enhancement of the right facial nerve, and multifocal vessel wall enhancement in the anterior and posterior circulation. We discuss the differential diagnosis, comprehensive workup, and subsequent treatment decisions in the management of this immunocompromised patient with encephalopathy, headache, and rapidly progressing focal neurologic deficits.