Acute Abducens Nerve Palsy Following the Second Dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine.

The authors report the case of an otherwise healthy 65-year-old man who presented with an acute right abducens nerve palsy 3 days after receiving the second dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Abducens nerve palsies typically results from microvascular disease or compressive tumors, although they are known to arise following routine vaccinations. Given the lack of preexisting risk factors, normal computed tomography scan results, and the timing of the symptoms, the abducens nerve palsy was believed to be related to the vaccination. This report highlights the potential neurologic adverse effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(6):e49-e50.].

Cranial Nerve Disorders Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the spectrum, treatment, and outcome of cranial nerve disorders associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (Cn-ICI). METHODS: This nationwide retrospective cohort study on Cn-ICI (2015-2019) was conducted using the database of the French Refence Center. In addition, a systematic review of the literature (MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) for records published between 2010 and 2019 was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the search terms cranial nerve or neuropathy or palsy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. RESULTS: Among 67 cases with ICI-related neurologic toxicities diagnosed in our reference center, 9 patients with Cn-ICI were identified (7 men, 78%, median age 62 years [range 26-82 years]). Patients were receiving a combination of anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 and anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand (n = 5, 56%) or anti-PD-1 antibodies alone (n = 4, 44%). Cn-ICI involved optic (n = 3), vestibulocochlear (n = 3), abducens (n = 2), facial (n = 2), and oculomotor (n = 1) nerves. Two patients had involvement of 2 different cranial nerves. Treatment comprised corticosteroids (n = 8, 89%), ICI permanent discontinuation (n = 7, 78%), plasma exchange (n = 2, 22%), and IV immunoglobulin (n = 1, 11%). Median follow-up was 11 months (range 1-41 months). In 3 cases (33%), neurologic deficit persisted/worsened despite treatment: 2 optic and 1 vestibulocochlear. Among cases from the literature and the present series combined (n = 39), the most commonly affected cranial nerves were facial (n = 13, 33%), vestibulocochlear (n = 8, 21%), optic (n = 7, 18%), and abducens (n = 4, 10%). Trigeminal, oculomotor, and glossopharyngeal nerves were less frequently affected (total n = 7). CONCLUSION: Cranial nerve disorders can complicate treatment with ICIs. Approximately one-third of the patients had persisting deficits, most frequently involving hearing and vision loss.

Isolated sixth nerve palsy after intravitreal ranibizumab injection.

After intravitreal ranibizumab injection for diabetic macular edema (DME) in a 55-year-old man, the patient was admitted to our ophthalmology clinic with the complaint of diplopia. Given the results of the patient's history, physical exam, and negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we believed that the patient had a sixth nerve palsy related to ranibizumab injection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case with isolated abducens palsy after ranibizumab injection.

Bevacizumab-induced transient sixth nerve palsy in ovarian cancer: A case report.

We report a case of transient sixth nerve palsy after systemic administration of bevacizumab. Two days after systemic administration of bevacizumab in conjunction with gemcitabine and carboplatin in a 67-year-old woman with recurrent primary ovarian cancer, the patient developed sixth nerve palsy. After bevacizumab was stopped, the complete left sixth nerve palsy resolved spontaneously over the course of 3 months. This is the first reported case of bevacizumab-induced cranial sixth nerve palsy in the treatment of gynecologic malignancy.

Vincristine-induced polyneuropathy in a child with stage I Wilms' tumour presenting with unilateral abducens nerve palsy.

A 4-year-old boy presented with right esotropia while receiving vincristine and dactinomycin for stage I Wilms' tumour according to the National Wilms Tumour Study-5 protocol. On examination, he had isolated limitation of his right lateral gaze. CT of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid examination were normal. A nerve conduction velocity study which was performed on the peripheral nerves revealed predominant motor polyneuropathy compatible with axonal loss involving the upper limbs. The patient had received a cumulative vincristine dose of 17 mg/m(2) before developing esotropia. Vincristine-induced abducens nerve mononeuropathy and subclinical motor polyneuropathy was suspected. Unilateral esotropia markedly improved after the discontinuation of vincristine and a short course of oral pyridoxine treatment.

Transient diplopia with ipsilateral abducent nerve palsy and ptosis following a maxillary local anesthetic injection: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The posterior superior alveolar (PSA) nerve block is commonly used in dentistry for treatment of the maxillary molars. Although this procedure is associated with many complications, ocular complications have been rarely reported. CASE REPORT: This report details an iatrogenic paresis of the abducent nerve and partial palsy of the oculomotor nerve leading to diplopia, strabismus and ptosis following a PSA nerve block and extraction of maxillary right second molar. The patient was treated symptomatically, and the recovery was uneventful. Relevant anatomical pathways with review of literature are discussed. DISCUSSION: Although rare, the dentist should be aware of these complications to avoid being perplexed by this unexpected circumstance, thus adversely affecting the doctor-patient trust.

Capecitabine and sixth cranial nerve palsy.

Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapeutic agent converted to 5 fluorouracil (5-FU). Neurotoxicity associated with the medication encompasses both central and peripheral nervous systems. We describe a 60 year old man with colonic carcinoma who developed diplopia due to a sixth nerve palsy following the use of capecitabine which is an orally administered prodrug of 5-FU. An MRI of brain did not reveal a space occupying lesion or vascular insult to account for his cranial nerve palsy. The sixth nerve palsy resolved spontaneously once capecitabine was withdrawn. Physicians in all walks of life are increasingly likely to come across such patients and should familiarize themselves with toxicities consequent to chemotherapy. Further research is needed to elucidate the cause of capecitabine associated neurotoxicity.

Isolated sixth nerve palsy after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

PURPOSE: To report a case of sixth nerve palsy after intravitreal bevacuzimab injection. METHODS: After intravitreal bevacizumab injection in a 64-year-old man, the patient admitted to our clinic with the complaint of diplopia. A complete ophthalmologic examination was done to clear the symptomatology of patient. RESULTS: Examination of ductions revealed marked limitation of abduction of the right eye and full ductions of the left eye, consistent with right lateral rectus paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: Although intravitreal bevacizumab injections are generally well tolerated, it is possible that some serious systemic adverse events may occur. For this reason, patients must be closely monitored following these injections.

Isolated abducens nerve palsy associated with retinoic acid therapy: a case report.

Isolated abducens nerve palsy is a rare complication of treatment with various drugs. Here, the authors report the case of a 23-year-old female with isolated left abducens nerve palsy after long-term retinoic acid therapy. The association is based on the temporal relationship and the exclusion of other possible etiologic factors following extensive laboratory and imaging diagnostics. The authors suggest that isolated abducens nerve palsy may be a presenting sign of a toxic neuropathy associated with retinoic acid therapy. After the exclusion of other organic lesions, especially idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and an assessment of the risk-benefit ratio, discontinuation of treatment must be considered in such cases.

Papilledema and abducens nerve palsy following ethylene glycol ingestion.

A 34-year-old male with a long-standing history of polysubstance abuse and depression was admitted for acute renal failure and hemodialysis secondary to ethylene glycol ingestion that occurred two days prior. The patient was admitted with documented ethylene glycol levels of 41.2 mg/dl, which fell to 25.0 mg/dl after 8 hours and to 6 mg/dl after 12 hours. One week later the patient presented to the outpatient eye clinic complaining of headaches and diplopia. On exam, vision in both eyes was 20/20. No afferent papillary defect was present. The patient had a left abducens palsy. The remainder of the anterior segment exam was normal. On dilated fundus exam the patient was found to have 3+ disc edema with hemorrhages in both eyes. A lumbar puncture revealed elevated intracranial pressure. In our opinion, the patient developed a left abducens nerve palsy and bilateral disc edema secondary to a transient rise in intracranial pressure after ingestion of ethylene glycol.

Acute sixth-nerve palsy after vincristine therapy.

The chemotherapeutic effectiveness of vincristine was first reported in 1962, and with its increased use the incidence of reported neurologic side effects has also increased. We reported a case of acute sixth-nerve palsy occurring soon after administration of vincristine for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a previously unreported side effect.

Isolated abducens nerve palsy induced by vincristine therapy.

We report a 28-year-old man with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who presented with acute onset of diplopia 3 weeks after the completion of combination chemotherapy with vincristine. He had a left esotropia with marked decrease in abduction. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain showed thickening and enhancement of the left abducens nerve. Lymphomatous and other intracranial pathologies were excluded, and vincristine neurotoxicity was considered as the possible etiology of the abducens nerve palsy. His diplopia improved gradually, then completely resolved 4 weeks after the cessation of vincristine therapy. We concluded that isolated ocular muscle paresis can be the presenting sing of a toxic neuropathy associated with vincristine use.

Apoplexy of a pituitary macroadenoma with reversible third, fourth and sixth cranial nerve palsies following administration of hypothalamic releasing hormones: MR features.

Pituitary apoplexy in patients with pituitary macroadenomas can occur either spontaneously or following various interventions. We present a case of a 71-year-old woman who developed third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies following administration of the four hypothalamic releasing hormones for routine preoperative testing of pituitary function. The MR examination showed interval tumor growth with impression of the floor of the third ventricle. There were also changes in signal intensity characteristics of the mass, suggestive of intratumoral bleeding. A transsphenoidal surgery with subtotal resection of the pituitary adenoma was performed. Microscopical examination revealed large areas of necrosis and blood surrounded by adenomatous tissue. Third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies completely resolved within 4 months. We conclude that MR imaging is useful in the demonstration of pituitary apoplexy following preoperative stimulation tests, but we suggest that these tests should be abandoned in patients with pituitary macroadenomas.