Abstract

Objective: To assess the clinicopathological spectrum, patterns, and diagnostic significance of Cranial Nerve (CN) dysfunction in systemic vasculitides and inflammatory disorders.
Methodology: This cross-sectional, observational study included 50 patients with systemic vasculitis (SV) or other systemic inflammatory diseases, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who presented with CN deficits. MRI/CT, clinical examination, and laboratory tests, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), were utilized. The laterality, frequency, disease association with severity, and the number of nerves involved were recorded. The data were analyzed through SPSS version 26.0. The chi-square test was used to test associations between CN involvement and disease variables, with a p

Key words: Cranial nerve palsy, systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, MRI, autoantibodies, inflammation.