Microvascular cranial nerve palsies in an Arabic population

Objectives: The incidence of microvascular ocular cranial nerve palsies may be increasing with the prevalence of diabetes in the developing world. We review this problem for the first time in an Arabic population. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective nonrandomized study of all pat ients with the diagnosis of microvascular cranial mononeuropathy seen in th e Neuro-ophthalmology Clinic at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital bet ween September 1997 and April 1998. Results: Forty-seven patients with microvascular palsies of cranial nerves 3, 4, or 6 were seen in this 8-month period. Compared to previous studies, this group had a stronger association with previously diagnosed diabetes me llitus, more males affected, and a longer duration of the cranial nerve pal sy before complete resolution. Five patients had an unusual clinical course that included a second microvascular cranial mononeuropathy before the fir st palsy completely resolved. Conclusions: Microvascular cranial nerve palsies may occur more frequently in this Arabic population than elsewhere and may have certain unusual featu res.