A case of systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by involvement of the brainstem is reported. The patient, a 24 years old white female, presented left brachio-facial paresthesis and paresis, difficulty to swallow, dysarthria, Horner's syndrome and hypoesthesia of the tongue. The EEG showed focal changes on the left side. The clinical signs improved spontaneously but the EEG record persisted abnormal. Following the neurological improvement, the patient showed signs of liver dysfunction which disappeared spontaneously after several days. The clinical and laboratorial findings are discussed.