Trauma-induced bilateral abducens nerve palsy without cervical fracture.

We report the case of a 75-year-old woman with an uneventful medical histor y who presented with sudden-onset diplopia immediately after neck trauma in a traffic accident. Clinical and ophthalmological examinations were consis tent with bilateral abducens nerve palsy. The causal relationship, includin g the medicolegal implications and the pathophysiological mechanism are dis cussed. The case demonstrates that exceptionally benign trauma can cause se vere diplopia. The delay to recovery may be very long, suggesting caution c oncerning the decision of surgical care.