Alalwi S, Alabbadi A, Alomair AM, Alfaraj D. Transient Bilateral Sixth Nerve Palsy: A Rare Sequela of Head Trauma.
Cureus 2021;
13:e12805. [PMID:
33628673 PMCID:
PMC7894221 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.12805]
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Abstract
Sixth cranial nerve palsy is uncommon but a well-recognized consequence of head trauma. Although few cases documented traumatic persistent bilateral sixth nerve palsy, a transient episode is extremely rare and not reported before. We report an unusual case of transient bilateral abducens nerve palsy after minor head trauma, which was completely resolved without any intervention after 20 min. Diplopia may relate to anatomical lesion, and even transient diplopia can guide us to a serious anatomical lesion that may occur. CT scan of the head revealed a left nondisplaced occipital fracture, which extends to the left petrous bone. The patient was admitted for 24-h observation and discharged home on paracetamol. This case emphasizes the need to recognize the rare sequences of minor head trauma and manage them appropriately.
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