Presentation
Back pain and left brachiaglia. Known case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on corticosteroid therapy.
Patient Data
Mild expansion of the spinal cord with central hyperintense signal opposite C4-D1 level.
Also noted similar looking smaller hyperintense patches opposite D5/6, D8, and D11/12 levels, with normal cord diameter and normal subarachnoid space.
Case Discussion
Features are suggestive of autoimmune-mediated myelitis, considering patient's history of systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus myelitis is considered. It is thought that the etiology is likely due to vasculitis rather than demyelination.