Atypical Presentation of SLE Complicated with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in an Adolescent Patient

Abstract

We report a case of an adolescent female with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with seizure, vision changes, and was found to have posterior reversible encephalopathy early in her disease process in addition to an advanced lupus nephropathy and hypoalbuminemia. The patient was treated emergently with antihypertensive medications, which resulted in the alleviating of her symptoms and resolving of the encephalopathy, confirmed by a repeat brain MRI 2 months later. Lupus nephropathy was managed with Cyclophosphamide and Azathioprine with a good response. In our case, we suggest ruling out SLE in any adolescent patient with a PRES finding on brain imaging, considering neurological manifestations of SLE as a presenting symptoms of the disease.