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Choroidopathy in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has rarely been reported. We report a patient with SLE and choroidopathy manifested by bilateral multifocal, serous elevations of the neurosensory retina. Control of the systemic disease resulted in resolution of the serous detachment.

Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is common; this is especially so in patients with positive antiphospholipid antibody. However, cerebellar involvement is very unusual. In our institution, we have seen 150 cases of SLE over the last 10 years; however, this is the only patient who has cerebellar involvement due to SLE. The patient had no other neurological deficit, and no other cause apart from her SLE to explain her cerebellar ataxia. Her antiphospholipid antibody was negative. The patient showed some improvement on high-dose steroids and azathioprin.

In this report we describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who was clinically stable after treatment with the antimalarial drug chloroquine and pulse cyclophosphamide therapy. Three months after the discontinuation of chloroquine, the patient developed cilioretinal artery occlusion that was the only the manifestation of a clinical flare-up without evidence of clinical disease activity elsewhere. This case report confirms the clinical belief that the antimalarial agents can maintain the clinical quiescence of systemic lupus erythematosus and its discontinuation is associated with an increase in the risk of clinical flare-up.