One-Sided Headache Is a Symptom Suggesting Aneurysmal Lesion in Patients with Isolated Abducens Nerve Palsy

ABSTRACT

An isolated unilateral abducens nerve palsy or headache alone usually yields negative findings on neuroimages. The authors report an individual with right abducens nerve palsy who developed a sudden, persistent headache on the right side. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed a giant aneurysm of the cavernous carotid artery that was located along the course of the right abducens nerve. The findings in this case of isolated abducens nerve palsy suggest that headaches should be considered as important signs for intracranial aneurysmal lesions.

KEYWORDS:

• Aneurysm
• headache
• isolated abducens nerve palsy
• MRA
• MRI

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Professor Duco Hamasaki, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, for discussions and editing the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.