RECURRENT ABDUCENS NERVE PALSY CAUSED BY DOLICHOECTASIA OF THE CAVERNOUS INTERNAL CAROTID-ARTERY

PURPOSE: To describe a 59-year-old patient who had seven recurrent, se lf-limited episodes of isolated ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy in th e previous 4 years, Each episode lasted between 2 and 5 weeks. METHODS : Systemic examination and neuroimaging studies were performed. RESULT : Repeated comprehensive examination failed to demonstrate any ocular or systemic condition apart from a lateral protrusion by dolichoectasi a of the posterior portion of the cavernous left internal carotid arte ry, compressing the posterior left cavernous sinus, CONCLUSION: Numero us self-limited episodes of sixth nerve palsy may be associated with s tructural abnormalities of the intracranial carotid vasculature.