Background: Peripheral nerve involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is most frequently subclinical and asymptomatic. The involvement of peripheral nervous system as the first manifestation in SLE is rare and is dominated by distal symmetrical polyneuropathy.
Case Presentation: A 37-year-old woman presented with left wrist drop due to radial nerve palsy. After seven months, the patient developed right shoulder pain and weakness (axillary nerve neuropathy). Until that time, no signs or symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were detected. One month later, the patient presented with mild edema and proteinuria and SLE was diagnosed in kidney biopsy.
Conclusions: This case report indicated that SLE can present with mononeuritis multiplex without any other signs or symptoms.