title: Isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy without radiographic etiology and unique mechanism of injury.
abstract: Isolated bilateral abducens palsy is a rare event, especially in the setting of closed head injury. Cases that lack radiographic or pathologic findings to explain the etiology of the palsy are limited to case reports. Injury mechanisms have been postulated, but a consensus does not exist. The authors describe a case of traumatic isolated bilateral abducens palsy lacking radiographic and pathologic findings. A previously unreported potential pathophysiologic injury mechanism is theorized based upon anatomical structure and mode of injury.
authors.affiliation: Division of Ophthalmology, Section Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ohio University/Doctor's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA. dsp4000@aol.com
authors.forename: Craig N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Czyz
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Harder
authors.forename: Kenneth V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kuennen
authors.forename: Jill A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D020434:Abducens Nerve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D004172:Diplopia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013285:Strabismus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome