Acquired abducens nerve palsy secondary to tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis is a serious, and unfortunately common, infectious disease caused by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The incidence, mortality, and physical/ophthalmologic effects are well documented. Although most common ophthalmologic findings include optic neuropathy and uveitis, cranial nerve palsies may also present secondary to intracranial inflammation.


METHODS
A 17-year-old Somalian girl was referred to the eye clinic with the chief concern of intermittent diplopia and headaches. Although monocular visual acuity was excellent, ocular positioning tests confirmed a subtle abduction deficit of the right eye. Medical history was remarkable for active tuberculosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculosis is a mediating factor for abducens nerve palsy in children. Understanding the relationship between the disease process and ocular ramifications is imperative for competent management.
Department of Pediatrics, Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, USA. dsmith@sco.edu
Daniel E
DE
Smith
Ashley
A
Blasi
D020434:Abducens Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004172:Diplopia / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014392:Tuberculosis, Ocular / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents