An imaging guide to the evaluation of third cranial nerve palsies.
OBJECTIVE
To devise a cost-effective imaging guide for the evaluation of third nerve palsies (TNP), based on an extensive review of the literature.


METHODS
A review of the pertinent English language literature was performed to devise a guideline for the evaluation and neuroimaging of TNP. The authors also report a retrospective review of the cost of imaging studies performed on 91 patients with TNP.


RESULTS
On the basis of the available literature, an imaging guide was developed and applied to a retrospective chart review of 91 patients from a single tertiary care center (Baylor College of Medicine). The cost effectiveness as well as the efficacy of the imaging guide was analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of TNP can be difficult; however, using such guides may allow for more appropriate and cost-effective evaluation of these patients.
Lee
A G
AG
Baylor College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology Houston, TX 77030, USA. alee@bcm.tmc.edu
Onan
H W
HW
Brazis
P W
PW
Prager
T C
TC
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics; D015840:Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics