Radiologic Findings of Musculoskeletal Abnormalities in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Presentation Format: Educational poster presentation.

Purpose or Learning Objective: This educational poster reviews the imaging findings of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to help medical students, radiology residents, and practicing radiologists review these specific disease findings.

Methods or Background: SLE is an autoimmune disease with a broad range of radiologic manifestations, present in almost 1 in 1,000 people in 2012 in the United Kingdom. The female-to-male ratio is 9:1. Musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations are very common in patients living with SLE, seen in up to 95% of patients. Historically, these abnormalities have included soft tissue calcification, spontaneous tendon weakening and rupture, osteonecrosis, myositis, deforming nonerosive arthropathy, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis, symmetrical polyarthritis, subchondral cysts, and sacroiliitis. However, the rise of ultrasonography has provided additional insights in recent years including the identification of synovitis, tenosynovitis, and bone erosions in patients previously considered to have nonerosive arthropathy. These various MSK abnormalities found in SLE resemble those also found in other collagen vascular disorders. The abnormalities in SLE can also be combined with abnormalities of other collagen vascular disorders in overlap syndromes, as well as in mixed connective tissue disease.

Results or Findings: Medical students, radiology residents, and practicing radiologists will learn the MSK manifestations of SLE and understand how they may appear in radiologic images. They will also be able to differentiate between abnormalities found in SLE and other collagen vascular disorders. Additionally, the participants will recognize that these abnormalities can be found alongside other collagen vascular disorders in overlap syndromes and mixed connective tissue disease.

Conclusion: On completion of this learning exercise, participants will be more familiar with the MSK manifestations of SLE and able to recognize and differentiate these findings from other disease processes.

Publication History

Article published online:
03 June 2021