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Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) involves the central and peripheral nervous system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is essential to specify the problems faced by patients with NPSLE because it causes diverse disabilities and impairs quality of life. After performing a comprehensive evaluation, tailored management should be provided for the patient's specific problems. We report here the case of a 30-year-old female with SLE who experienced serious neuropsychiatric symptoms cerebral infarction followed by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and peripheral polyneuropathy. We systemically assessed the patient using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model as a clinical problem-solving tool and provided comprehensive rehabilitation by focusing on her problems.
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Although spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) literally refers to the specific type of spinal cord injury, however, some extents of spinal cord injuries can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in most of cases. We introduce an atypical case of spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality. A 42-year-old male tetraplegic patient underwent MRI and computed tomography, and no specific lesions were found in any segments of the spinal cord. Moreover, the tetraplegic patient showed normal urodynamic function despite severe paralysis and absent somatosensory evoked potentials from the lower limbs.
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Early diagnosis and treatment of heterotopic ossification (HO) is essential to the prevention of complications. It is difficult to diagnose HO in its initial phase because non-specific clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and imaging findings of immature HO may mimic other diseases such as cellulitis, osteomyelitis, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis and local infection with abscess. We experienced two cases of HO, which were misdiagnosed as pyomyositis at first by clinical signs and MRI findings indicating the deep infection; the extensive intramuscular ossification appeared later on. We observed an increase of C-reactive protein and creatine kinase followed by the elevation of alkaline phosphatase with abnormal triphasic bone scan. The trajectory of these biomarkers was analyzed to get more insight into the early stages of HO along with the imaging findings. Although our cases cannot be generalized as typical of immature HO, they clearly demonstrate that the change of specific biomarkers with a careful history taking and physical examination should be noted to detect HO as early as possible while avoiding confusion with other mimicking conditions.
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