CASE REPORT

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy from minor head trauma

C-C Chen¹, Y-M Pai¹, R-F Wang¹, T-L Wang¹, C-F Chong²

¹ Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
² School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Chee-Fah Chong
Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Emergency Department, Taipei 111, Taiwan; jack.cfchong{at}msa.hinet.net

Isolated third cranial nerve palsies in head trauma patients can be the result of direct or indirect damage to the oculomotor nerve. They are usually associated with severe head trauma. We reported a case of isolated oculomotor nerve palsy associated with minor head injury. No initial loss of consciousness was recalled. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the brain were normal. Previous reports in the literature were reviewed and the possible mechanism of injury was discussed. Head injuries are commonly seen in sports settings. Our case illustrated that even minor head trauma can cause isolated oculomotor nerve palsy in the absence of abnormal brain imaging findings.

Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; MRA, magnetic resonance angiography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging

Keywords: cranial nerve; head trauma; oculomotor nerve palsy

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Online case reports
Br. J. Sports Med. 2005 39: 496. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]