Recurrent abducens nerve palsy caused by dolichoectasia of the cavernous internal carotid artery.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a 59-year-old patient who had seven recurrent, self-limited episodes of isolated ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy in the previous 4 years. Each episode lasted between 2 and 5 weeks.


METHODS
Systemic examination and neuroimaging studies were performed.


RESULTS
Repeated comprehensive examination failed to demonstrate any ocular or systemic condition apart from a lateral protrusion by dolichoectasia of the posterior portion of the cavernous left internal carotid artery, compressing the posterior left cavernous sinus.


CONCLUSIONS
Numerous self-limited episodes of sixth nerve palsy may be associated with structural abnormalities of the intracranial carotid vasculature.
Blumenthal
E Z
EZ
Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Gomori
J M
JM
Dotan
S
S
D000010:Abducens Nerve; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence