Bilateral third nerve palsy and temporal arteritis

Arch Neurol. 2005 Nov;62(11):1766-8. doi: 10.1001/archneur.62.11.1766.

Abstract

Background: Bilateral oculomotor palsy is a rare manifestation of temporal arteritis, and to our knowledge only 1 case has been described in the literature.

Objective: To investigate a possible case of temporal arteritis in a patient with bilateral third nerve palsy.

Design: Case report and review.

Setting: University hospital.

Patient: A 65-year-old man had subacute pupil-sparing bilateral third nerve palsy.

Results: Temporal artery biopsy findings and response to corticosteroids are consistent with temporal arteritis.

Conclusion: Temporal arteritis is a rare cause of ophthalmoplegia in elderly persons and may be unrecognized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Giant Cell Arteritis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / complications*