Mesial Temporal Sclerosis in a Recently Diagnosed SLE - Scleroderma Overlap Syndrome: A Case Report

Frances Marie C. Tamayo, Joseree-Ann S. Catindig, Julie T. Li-Yu

Oct 2025 DOI 10.35460/2546-1621.2025-0031     Access   

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus and a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple organ systems including the joints, skin, the cardiovascular system and even the central and peripheral nervous system. Although rare, these patients may present with neuropsychiatric symptoms. This patient presented initially with an SLE flare associated with sudden focal to generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Further rheumatologic workup was done which revealed that the patient also has scleroderma, an autoimmune connective tissue that causes inflammation of the skin and other key internal organs. Due to the seizure occurrence, cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done which showed incidental mesial temporal sclerosis, which is the scarring of the medial part of the said lobe of the brain. Her overlap syndrome was managed with Hydrocortisone and she was given Valproic acid as her anti-epileptic drug with no recurrence of seizure afterwards.

Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma, Mesial temporal sclerosis, Overlap syndrome, Valproic acid

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