Transverse Myelopathy and Gottron's Sign Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in an Elderly Woman

A Case Report

Abstract

One elderly case of transverse myelopathy and Gottron's sign associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was reported. A 70-year old woman developed numbness and weakness of the legs, which was followed by the onset of acute transverse myelopathy. Two years later, she had arthritis, violaceous flat-topped papules (Gottron's sign) over the dorsal interphalangeal joints and discoid lesions on the face. The antinuclear antibody test was positive in a titer of 1:1280. A diagnosis of SLE was made. A brain computerized tomography (CT) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple small cerebral infarction. The Gottron's sign is a pathognomonic diagnostic sign of dermatomyositis, which rarely occurs in SLE.