Diagnosis, treatment, and functional outcomes for two adolescent female patients with lupus myelitis: a case report

This case report describes two adolescent females who were diagnosed with lupus myelitis, a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus myelitis affects the spinal cord and can cause weakness and other neurological problems. Both patients initially presented with symptoms that mimicked other conditions, leading to delays in diagnosis. They were eventually diagnosed with lupus myelitis and new-onset SLE after extensive testing. The patients underwent aggressive treatment, including intravenous corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, rituximab, and cyclophosphamide, along with intensive inpatient rehabilitation. Both patients showed significant improvements in self-care and mobility.

• 1
  Early aggressive immunomodulatory treatment (IMT) and intensive inpatient rehabilitation led to significant laboratory and functional improvement in both patients.
• 2
  Both patients demonstrated substantial improvement in total WeeFIM score during inpatient rehabilitation, indicating improved functional independence.
• 3
  Collaboration between rheumatology and rehabilitation teams was crucial for coordinating rehabilitation interventions with immunomodulatory treatment.