Bone lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Routine joint radiographs of 125 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were studied. A total of 121 patients had a clinical history of articular symptoms. Cystic bone lesions were found in 51 patients (41%). The lesions, which were typically located subchondrally in the small joints of hands and feet, appeared as well-defined radiolucent areas surrounded by either normal bone or a narrow sclerotic zone. Nutritional disturbance in the bones, caused by the vasculitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, is proposed as a possible pathogenetic mechanism of the cystic lesions.