Isolated bilateral abducens nerves palsy due to traumatic delicate arteriovenous fistula

Abstract

Background: Ocular motor dysfunction is common in patients with head trauma. Also, traumatic lateral gaze palsy is usually associated with brain stem lesion, peripheral nerve injury with or without basilar skull fracture and lateral rectus muscle injury or entrapment. However, isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy is extremely rare.

Case study: This study describes a case of isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy in a 35-year-old male with head trauma without cervical and skull fractures. He was diagnosed with mild diffuse axonal injury. During his assessment, he developed mild limb weakness, an ataxic gait and impaired abductive movement in both eyes. Angiography of the left common carotid artery revealed multiple small arteriovenous fistulae in both inferior nasal conchae. After embolization, lateral gaze palsy of his eyes was significantly improved.

Conclusions: Based on this case, arteriovenous fistula should be considered as a cause of bilateral isolated abducens nerve palsy.

• Head trauma
• abducens nerve palsy
• arteriovenous fistula