Posters

Paralysis of cranial nerves III, IV and VI: causes and prognosis in 96 cases

Poster Details

First Author: N.Aghadoost IRAN

Co Author(s):    D. Aghadoost   H. Aghadoost           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report causes and prognosis of cranial nerve palsies 3, 4 and 6 in an ophthalmology clinic.

Setting:

Matini Hospital, Amirkabir ave. Kashan, Iran

Methods:

In a cross-sectional case studies during April 2004- December 2005, 96 cases of cranial palsy 3, 4 or 6th enrolled in this study in an ophthalmology clinic. All patients underwent detailed ocular and neurologic examination and needed paraclinic tests and neuroimaging (CT-Scan or MRI). All patients followed at least for 6 months.

Results:

Mean age of patients was 50.5 years (range 8 to 80 years). Sixty-nine percent of patients were male. The frequency of involvement of the third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves was 34.4%, 15.6% and 47% respectively. In 3% of cases more than one cranial nerve involved. Mean follow up of patients was 14 months (range 6 to 24 months). In 85.4% of cases spontaneous recovery occurred. The most common causes of cranial nerve impairment was microvascular diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension) in 66.7% and trauma in 26.4% regardless of affected cranial nerves. In 48% of traumatic cases cranial nerve palsy became permanent.

Conclusions:

Cranial nerve palsies due to microvascular diseases has higher chance of spontaneous recovery in relation to other causes such as trauma or malignancies. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE