A Case Report of Bilateral Abducens Palsy in the Setting of Clival Fracture – Recovery Related to Pathophysiological Basis of Injury

ABSTRACT

Head trauma resulting in clival fracture and bilateral abducens palsy is uncommon. We depict a case of bilateral abducens palsy in a 45-year-old man who, following a period of conservative management showed unilateral improvement in function which was correlated to magnetic resonance imaging findings. We review the anatomical relations of the abducens nerve as well as the potential mechanisms and pathophysiological basis for its compromise in the setting of trauma.

KEYWORDS:

• Abducens
• trauma
• 6th nerve
• clivus
• recovery
• MRI