Online Monograph
Case-Based Discussions of Diagnostic and Management Issues

Description

The Cleveland Clinic presents a four-part series of case-based discussions of key issues associated with neuroinflammatory conditions encountered in patients with rheumatic disease: Vasculitis of the central nervous system (CNS); progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, an infectious complication of the CNS in immunosuppressed patients; headache in patients with rheumatic disease; and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The presentations are designed to review advances in diagnosis and management with an analysis of their implications for clinical practice.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:

1. Classify neuropsychiatric complications of SLE and describe the sequence,
   order, and interpretation of neurodiagnostic testing needed to accurately
   diagnose these complications using established guidelines and nomenclature.
2. Differentiate the common clinical subsets of CNS vasculitis from their important mimics and describe the interpretation and limitations of common neurodiagnostic testing.
3. Identify the common clinical and electrodiagnostic features of vasculitis neuropathy and associate and correlate such findings to neurovascular pathologic findings.
4. Define the role of immunosuppressive and biologic therapies in the pathogenesis of opportunistic CNS infections and recognize and evaluate patients suspected of having these disorders, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Target Audience

Rheumatologists, neurologists, and other specialists managing patients with
rheumatic and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of the central and
peripheral nervous systems that are being treated with immunosuppressive
and/or biologic therapies.

Accreditation

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity may be submitted for American Osteopathic Association Continuing Medical Education credit in Category 2.

Activity Director

Leonard H. Calabrese, DO
Professor of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
   of Case Western Reserve University
Vice Chairman
Department of Rheumatic & Immunologic Diseases
R.J. Fasenmyer Chair of Clinical Immunology
Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio

Faculty

Tom W.J. Huizinga, MD, PhD; Richard Ransohoff, MD;
Glen D. Solomon, MD

Faculty Disclosure

In accordance with the Standards for Commercial Support issued by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education requires resolution of all faculty conflicts of interest to ensure CME activities are free of commercial bias.

The following faculty have indicated that they may have a relationship, which in the context of their presentation(s), could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest:

The following faculty members have indicated they have no relationship that, in the context of their presentations, could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest.

Tom W. J. Huizinga, MD, PhD
Glen D. Solomon, MD