[Ballism in systemic lupus erythematosus].

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with ballism is presented. The movement disorders, as a group, account for approximately 2% of the neurological and psychiatric symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in SLE, and more than any of the other neuro-psychiatric manifestations they tend to precede the diagnosis of SLE. Ballism and other rare movement disorders are not included in the 1982 revised American Rheumatism Association criteria for SLE. Being aware of the correlation between CNS disease and more severe SLE, one should assess therapeutic intervention critically.