Patients with SLE should be highly alert to the possibility of lupus encephalopathy once they have headache symptoms, because lupus encephalopathy is a critical condition in SLE and must be taken seriously, and MRI of the head and lumbar puncture should be completed to determine the possibility of lupus encephalopathy. If the diagnosis of lupus encephalopathy is confirmed, relatively high doses of glucocorticoids may be required, as well as classical immunosuppressive agents for lupus encephalopathy, most commonly cyclophosphamide for shock therapy. Biologic agents, such as melphalan, can also be considered. Hepatitis, tuberculosis and neoplastic diseases need to be strictly excluded before using melphalan.