Article Text
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystem inflammatory disease which can involve many organ systems including the central nervous system (CNS). Though not very common, the results can be severely debilitating. The spectrum of the CNS involvement includes meningitis, encephalitis and occasionally rheumatoid nodules. Its presentation is variable, though very rarely it can present as focal neurological deficits. Imaging can be suggestive, but diagnosis usually requires tissue biopsy. Treatment consists of high-dose steroids and immunosuppressants. We describe the case of a 55-year-old male patient with a history of RA presenting with a third nerve palsy and headache who was found to have rheumatoid nodules on biopsy. CNS involvement in RA should be considered in anyone with rheumatoid arthritis who presents with focal neurological deficits, though infections and space-occupying lesions should also be ruled out.
- cranial nerves
- neuroimaging
- rheumatoid arthritis
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Footnotes
Contributors HMAA and JF were responsible for writing the discussion and background. AJ and MO were responsible for the case presentation and summary.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.