Recurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus in a hemodialysis patient presenting as a unilateral abducens nerve palsy.

A 45-year-old hemodialysis patient presenting with recurrence of SLE which manifested predominantly as a unilateral left abducens (VIth) nerve palsy is described. The signs and symptoms of the cranial nerve palsy resolved within two weeks of initiating corticosteroid therapy. This is the first reported case of an abducens nerve palsy occurring in a maintenance hemodialysis patient associated with recurrence of SLE.