[Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis preceding cutaneous lupus]

A case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) preceding the features of cutaneous lupus is reported.To suggest that ADEM and cutaneous lupus are pathophysiologically related.Neurological complications of systemic lupus erythematosus are common. However, demyelinative central nervous system manifestations are rare, and restricted to neuromyelitis optica (NMO). NMO is thought to be a partial form of ADEM.A clinical, neuroradiological and immunological study was performed in this case.ADEM was diagnosed in a young black female. Three years later, she developed a cutaneous lupus without hypocomplementemia.A relationship between ADEM and cutaneous lupus is suggested. The normal serum complement level in our patient might be a predisposing factor for the development of ADEM.