Bilateral third nerve palsy from ‘minor’ head trauma

Abstract

A 51-year-old man developed bilateral third nerve palsy following closed head trauma without significant alteration of consciousness and no other neurologic deficit. Detailed investigations to rule out pre-existing intracranial pathology were unrevealing. Five cases of unilateral isolated third nerve palsy from ‘minor head’ trauma^1-4 and eight cases of isolated bilateral third nerve palsy from severe head trauma^1,2,5 have been reported, one of which was bilateral⁵. This is the second bilateral isolated third nerve palsy to be recorded with ‘minor’ head trauma.

Key Words:

• bilateral isolated third nerve palsy
• ‘minor’ head trauma