The time course of a sixth nerve paresis following epidural anesthesia.
An isolated sixth nerve palsy is seldom seen following epidural anesthesia. An unintentional puncture through the dura may cause a leak of cerebrospinal fluid resulting in a shift of the cerebral content. This may cause a stretching of the sixth cranial nerve giving an abduction palsy. The palsy is benign and resolves completely within two months. The time course of a case will be described.
De Veuster
I
I
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp.
Smet
H
H
Vercauteren
M
M
Tassignon
M J
MJ
D000010:Abducens Nerve; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004948:Esotropia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011187:Posture