title: Cranial nerve VI palsy as a rare initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: A 48-year-old woman presented with isolated sixth cranial nerve palsy. She subsequently developed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on clinical and laboratory parameters. Three years later, she presented again with sixth cranial nerve palsy affecting the contralateral eye. Within 2 weeks of steroid initiation, complete recovery occurred. The unusual rare presentation of SLE in the current patient, as well as the pathogenesis and treatment of cranial neuropathy in SLE are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menassa
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atweh
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arayssi
mesh_terms: D020434:Abducens Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged