Lethal mycotic pseudoaneurysm presenting as isolated sixth nerve palsy.

Pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery caused by skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is a lethal condition seen in immunocompromised patients, predominantly those with diabetes mellitus. Cranial nerve involvement is a common complication and generally indicates a poor prognosis. We report the case of a 62-year-old diabetic patient who presented with isolated sixth cranial nerve palsy. She had uncontrolled blood sugar levels and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and she suffered from pyelonephritis. Neuroimaging detected SBO with multiple secondary mycotic pseudoaneurysms prominent at the petrocavernous junction. Ischemia is the most common etiology for an isolated abducens nerve palsy, but in certain cases neuroimaging is warranted to prevent life-threatening complications. This case highlights the importance and urgency of identifying and managing such conditions.

Ophthalmic manifestations as the first presenting feature in dengue fever: a 10-year study.

Purpose: To report patients who first presented with various ocular manifestations and eventually ascertained to have underlying dengue. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at multiple tertiary eye-care centers in India from 2012 to 2022. Cases reporting initially with ocular features along with fever/past history of fever over the last two weeks or with clinical features of dengue were selected. After an ophthalmological examination, patients underwent complete serological and biochemical analysis and those with reduced platelet counts were evaluated for dengue. Results: Out of 564 cases, 15 patients were verified to be afflicted with dengue eventually. A rising trend of cases was seen every year and out of 15 cases, eight cases were reported during the Covid-19 pandemic (from 2020 to 2022), but were COVID-negative. 9 cases presented with acute redness followed by diminished vision. Seven cases presented a history of fever over the last few days and one had traveled from dengue endemic area. The various ocular presentations included subconjunctival hemorrhage, viral keratitis, anterior uveitis, sixth-nerve palsy, and vitreous hemorrhage. On serological examination, all 15 patients were detected to have low platelets. All cases responded well with supportive treatment and the ocular features subsided in all within a couple of weeks with good visual recovery. Conclusion: In a tropical nation, such as India, with endemic dengue zones and increasing figures of dengue lately, ophthalmologists must include dengue fever among the differential diagnoses in various ocular presentations like subconjunctival hemorrhage, viral keratitis, anterior uveitis, sixth nerve palsy, and vitreous hemorrhage. Abbreviations: DHF = dengue hemorrhagic fever, PCR = polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR = real-time automated reverse transcriptase (RT-PCR), SD = standard deviation, MAC-ELIS = IgM antibodies capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RE = right eye, LE = left eye, CECT = Contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Risk of abducens nerve palsy following COVID-19 vaccination.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and risk of new-onset abducens nerve palsy and acute-onset diplopia following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: In this retrospective, population-based study, patient data from the COVID-19 Research Network of TriNetX was searched via the TriNetX Analytics platform for patients who received specific vaccinations based on Common Procedural Technology codes. We recorded instances of newly diagnosed abducens nerve palsy and diplopia within 21 days following each vaccination event. RESULTS: Of the 3,545,224 patients (mean age at vaccination, 46.2 ± 21.3 years) who received the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, 12 (<0.0001%) patients had a new diagnosis of abducens nerve palsy and 453 (0.013%) had acute-onset diplopia within 21 days of first dose of COVID-19 vaccination. After propensity score matching, the relative risk for new abducens nerve palsy diagnosis after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination was not significantly different from that after influenza (RR, 0.77), Tdap (RR, 1.0), or the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccinations (RR, 1.00). Furthermore, there was a lower risk of abducens nerve palsy diagnosis after the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination compared with the risk after COVID-19 infection (RR, 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of a new abducens nerve palsy diagnosis following the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is lower than the risk associated with COVID-19 infection itself. There is no evidence to suggest a causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and the development of abducens nerve palsy.

Understanding the infection severity and epidemiological characteristics of mpox in the UK.

In May 2022, individuals infected with the monkeypox virus were detected in the UK without clear travel links to endemic areas. Understanding the clinical characteristics and infection severity of mpox is necessary for effective public health policy. The study period of this paper, from the 1st June 2022 to 30th September 2022, included 3,375 individuals that tested positive for the monkeypox virus. The posterior mean times from infection to hospital admission and length of hospital stay were 14.89 days (95% Credible Intervals (CrI): 13.60, 16.32) and 7.07 days (95% CrI: 6.07, 8.23), respectively. We estimated the modelled Infection Hospitalisation Risk to be 4.13% (95% CrI: 3.04, 5.02), compared to the overall sample Case Hospitalisation Risk (CHR) of 5.10% (95% CrI: 4.38, 5.86). The overall sample CHR was estimated to be 17.86% (95% CrI: 6.06, 33.11) for females and 4.99% (95% CrI: 4.27, 5.75) for males. A notable difference was observed between the CHRs that were estimated for each sex, which may be indicative of increased infection severity in females or a considerably lower infection ascertainment rate. It was estimated that 74.65% (95% CrI: 55.78, 86.85) of infections with the monkeypox virus in the UK were captured over the outbreak.

Carotid-cavernous fistula: A potential treatable cause of bilateral abducens palsy and conjunctival hyperemia.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) represent uncommon and anomalous communications between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case report RESULTS: We present the clinical details and successful management of a previously healthy 44-year-old patient who presented with one-month worsening headache, bilateral abducens palsy and conjunctival injection. Imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) facilitated the diagnosis of CCF. The patient underwent endovascular coiling of the CCF, leading to neurological recovery and symptom remission. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of promptly CCF diagnosis in patients with multiple cranial nerve palsies and conjunctival hyperemia. Moreover, it emphasizes the efficacy of endovascular coiling in achieving symptom remission.

Cranial Nerve Six Palsy After Vaginal Delivery with Epidural Anesthesia: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: This case report describes a 34-year-old woman who developed diplopia and strabismus 2 weeks after a vaginal delivery and epidural anesthesia. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old women presented to the emergency department (ED) with continued headache and new-onset diplopia after having undergone epidural anesthesia for a vaginal delivery 2 weeks prior. During that time, she underwent two blood patches, rested supine, drank additional fluids, and consumed caffeinated products for her spinal headache. When she developed double vision from a cranial nerve VI palsy, she returned to the ED. At that time, she had a third blood patch performed, and she was evaluated by a neurologist. The medical team felt the cranial nerve VI palsy was due to the downward pull of the brain and stretching of the nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging and neurosurgical closure of the dura were considered as the next steps in treatment; however, they were not performed after being declined by the patient. All symptoms were resolved over the next 3 weeks. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case illustrates the uncommon complication of a cranial nerve VI palsy from a persistent cerebrospinal fluid leak after a dural puncture. Emergency physicians must be aware that diplopia can be a rare presenting symptom after patients undergo a lumbar puncture. Furthermore, emergency physicians should be aware of the multiple treatment options available. Knowledge of the timeline of resolution of the diplopia is necessary to make shared decisions with our patients about escalating care.

Fusobacterium necrophorum an Underrecognized Cause of Petrous Apicitis Presenting with Gradenigo Syndrome: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND With the advent of antibiotics, petrous apicitis (PA), inflammation of the petrous temporal bone, has become a rare complication of otitis media. Even more uncommon is Gradenigo syndrome (GS), a result of PA, characterized by a triad of otitis media or purulent otorrhea, pain within the regions innervated by the first and second division of the trigeminal nerve, and ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy. Recent literature has demonstrated increasing reports of Fusobacterium necrophorum isolated in cases of GS. CASE REPORT A 21-year-old man presented with otalgia, reduced hearing, and severe headache. Examination revealed right-sided purulent otorrhea, anesthesia within the trigeminal nerve distribution, and an ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy. F. necrophorum was isolated from an ear swab and a blood culture. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated otomastoiditis, PA, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and severe stenosis of the petrous internal carotid artery. He was treated with intravenous benzylpenicillin, underwent a mastoidectomy and insertion of a ventilation tube, and was started on a 3-month course of dabigatran. Interval MRI showed improved internal carotid artery caliber, persistent petrous apex inflammation, and normal appearance of both cavernous sinuses. Follow-up clinical review noted persistent abducens and trigeminal nerve dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS We identified 190 cases of PA; of these, 80 presented with the classic Gradenigo triad. Fusobacterium sp. were cultured in 10% of GS cases, making them the most frequent isolates. Due to the fastidious nature of F. necrophorum, it may be underrepresented in the historical literature, and we recommend that empiric antibiotics cover anaerobic organisms.

Rare Combination of Abducens Nerve Palsy and Optic Neuritis on the Same Side: Case Report and Review of 8 Patients in Literature.

The concurrent development of abducens nerve palsy and optic neuritis on the same side is rare. Here we presented an 82-year-old man who developed the combination of abducens nerve palsy and optic neuritis on the left side 2 months after the sixth inoculation of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. In past history at 45 years old, he experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent surgery for the clipping of intracranial aneurysm. The patient had no systemic symptoms, such as general fatigue, fever, arthralgia, and skin rashes. Physical and neurological examinations were also unremarkable. Since the aneurysmal metal clip used at that time was not compatible with magnetic resonance imaging, he underwent computed tomographic (CT) scan of the head and showed no space-occupying lesion in the orbit, paranasal sinuses, and brain. As an old lesion, the anterior temporal lobe on the left side had low-density area with metallic artifact on the left side of the skull base, indicative of metal clipping. In 4 weeks of observation from the initial visit, he showed complete recovery of visual acuity and became capable of abducting the left eye in full degrees. We also reviewed 8 patients with the combination of abducens nerve palsy and optic neuritis in the literature to reveal that the combination of signs did occur in mild meningitis with rare infectious diseases and in association with preceding herpes zoster in the first branch of the trigeminal nerve. The course of the present patient suggested that the combination of signs might be vaccine-associated.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Globe Translation in Abducens Palsy.

PURPOSE: It has been supposed that rectus muscle paralysis would cause proptosis due to the reduction in active posterior tension. This study aimed to test this proposition by evaluating globe translation during horizontal duction in patients with abducens palsy. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center, fellow-eye controlled, case series. METHODS: Horizontal globe rotation and translation were quantified using orbital magnetic resonance imaging of patients with isolated unilateral abducens nerve palsy without other ocular motility disorders. Unaffected fellow eyes served as the control group. Digital image analysis was performed. RESULTS: The study included 5 female and 2 male patients with a mean ± standard deviation age of 52 ± 15 years. The average esotropia was 39.0 ± 9.6 diopters. Mean adduction was similar at 54.9 ± 10.4° in palsied eyes and 52.0 ± 7.1° in fellow eyes. However, abduction in palsied eyes was significantly less at 11.4 ± 7.1° than 37.1 ± 11.4° in fellow eyes (P = .0023). Average anterior translation in adduction was 0.46 ± 0.42 mm in palsied orbits, similar to 0.35 ± 0.47 mm in fellow orbits (P = .90). Anterior translation in abduction averaged 0.17 ± 0.53 mm in palsied orbits, similar to 0.27 ± 0.73 mm in fellow orbits (P = .80). Average medial translation in adduction at 0.32 ± 0.23 mm in palsied orbits was statistically similar to 0.12 ± 0.44 mm in fellow orbits (P = .54). Average lateral translation in abduction at 0.19 ± 0.18 mm in palsied orbits was similar to 0.33 ± 0.15 mm in control orbits (P = .38). CONCLUSION: Abducens palsy does not alter normal eye translation during horizontal duction.

Sixth cranial nerve palsy and trigeminal neuropathic pain due to a space-occupying lesion.

Various neuropathies of the cranil nerves can accompany trigeminal neuropathic pain attributed to space-occupying lesions. In this case report, the patient presented with persistent intraoral pain and numbness on the right side of the face. Cranial nerve examination revealed dysfunctional eye movements, diplopia, and mechanical hyposensitivity in the mandibular region. The patient was diagnosed with neuropathy due to intracranial lesions and referred to the Department of Neurosurgery and Otorhinolaryngology. The patient was suspected of having malignant lymphoma and is currently undergoing neurosurgical intervention. This article discusses the importance of the examination of the cranial nerve for patients with persistent pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution.

Do infants with isolated congenital sixth nerve palsy require comprehensive work-up? A retrospective cohort and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a case series of infants with isolated congenital sixth nerve palsy (ICSNP) and suggest a management algorithm based on our experience and a review of the literature. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used. The clinical database of a single tertiary medical center was reviewed to identify all patients diagnosed with ICSNP from January 2020 to November 2022. Data were collected as follows: demographic parameters, age at initial presentation, presenting symptoms and signs, findings on ophthalmic and neurologic examinations, findings on follow-up, and outcome. RESULTS: Six patients were included. All were born at term. The average gestational weight was 3675.7 ± 262.7 g. Three mothers had gestational diabetes. Five deliveries necessitated labor induction either by oxytocin (n = 4) or by membrane stripping followed by oxytocin (n = 1). One had also gone a forceps assisted delivery. Symptoms were noticed in all newborns by their parents within the first week of life. Ophthalmological and neurological examinations were otherwise unremarkable apart of one patient with a head turn to the side of the involved eye. Four patients underwent brain imaging that were unremarkable. All abduction deficits resolved by 1 to 3 months of age. Follow up examinations were unremarkable (mean follow up 14.3 ± 5.0 months, range 4-23). CONCLUSIONS: This case series, together with previous reports, support ICSNP's benign nature. We suggest an initial basic work-up that solely includes ophthalmological and neurological examinations which will be elaborated in case of any additional pathologic findings or if ICSNP does not fully resolve by 3 months.

Spinal procedures, pneumocephalus, and cranial nerve palsies: A review of the literature.

Purpose: Minimally invasive and surgical spine procedures are commonplace with various risks and complications. Cranial nerve palsies, however, are infrequently encountered, particularly after procedures such as lumbar punctures, epidural anesthesia, or intrathecal injections, and are understandably worrisome for clinicians and patients as they may be interpreted as secondary to a sinister etiology. However, a less commonly considered source is a pneumocephalus which may, in rare cases, abut cranial nerves and cause a palsy as a benign and often self-resolving complication. Here, we present the case of a patient who underwent an intrathecal methotrexate infusion for newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma and subsequently developed an abducens nerve palsy due to pneumocephalus. We highlight the utility of various imaging modalities, treatment options, and review current literature on spinal procedures resulting in cranial nerve palsies attributable to pneumocephalus presenting as malignant etiologies.

Anti-Ri paraneoplastic neurological syndrome presenting with bilateral cranial nerve VI palsy and jaw dystonia-a distinctive syndrome within the anti-Ri spectrum? : Case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are rare disorders associated with various onconeuronal antibodies. Anti-Ri antibodies (ANNA-2) are typically found in patients with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS) and ataxia. CASE REPORT: We present an anti-Ri antibody-positive 77-year-old woman with subacute progressive bilateral cranial nerve VI palsy, gait disturbance and jaw dystonia. MRI of the brain showed hyperintense signals on T2 bitemporal without contrast enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination exhibited mild pleocytosis of 13 cells/µl and positive oligoclonal bands. CSF was overall inconspicuous for a malignant or inflammatory etiology. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed anti-Ri antibodies in both serum and CSF. Subsequent diagnostic work up resulted in a newly diagnosed ductal carcinoma of the right breast. PNS in this case partially responded to the anti-tumor therapy. CONCLUSION: This case shows similarities with recently published anti-Ri syndromes, which might form a distinct triad within the anti-Ri spectrum.

Posterior semicircular canal cupulolithiasis during acute pontomedullary demyelination.

Positional vertigo poses a diagnostic challenge in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The characteristics of positional nystagmus and its response to repositioning manoeuvres are usually sufficient to diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). However, certain BPPV variants respond poorly to repositioning manoeuvres and their nystagmus pattern can resemble that of central positional vertigo caused by infratentorial demyelination. This diagnostic difficulty is particularly challenging if positional vertigo occurs during an MS relapse. We describe a woman with MS who developed a sixth nerve palsy and gaze-evoked nystagmus, caused by demyelination near or within areas classically involved in central positional vertigo. However, she also had positional vertigo from coincident BPPV (and not central positional vertigo). This was initially a treatment resistant-posterior semicircular canal cupulolithiasis but it later progressed to a posterior semicircular canal canalolithiasis, with symptoms promptly resolving after a repositioning manoeuvre.

Gradenigo Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Boy with Acute Otitis Media: A Case Report.

Gradenigo Syndrome (GS) is not a common intracranial complication of acute otitis media infections that needs proper diagnosis and management. This case report presents a 6-year-old child diagnosed with unilateral headache, right eye diplopia, and right abducens nerve palsy. MRI and cranial nerve examination facilitate the confirmation of GS. The patient was treated with proper antibiotics and showed good outcomes. This case report highlights the importance of early detection and understanding of the clinical picture associated with GS, which have a crucial role in achieving desired outcomes and avoiding serious complications.