Bone Lesions of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Category “B” is a description of bone changes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Bone lesions in most patients with SLE show only mild changes, including periarticular osteopenia, without erosions or deformities. Therefore, joint and bone destruction is rarely seen. However, bone changes may be evident in some patients with Jaccoud’s arthropathy and rhupus. Bone changes include a wide variety of lesions such as bone erosions, bone cysts, osteophytes, and avascular osteonecrosis. The findings of category B are important in the pathophysiology and diagnosis of SLE. Bone lesions of SLE are outlined graphically in this chapter.