Abducens nerve is present in patients with type 2 Duane's retraction syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the abducens nerve is present in patients with type 2 Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS).

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Participants: Twelve consecutive patients diagnosed with type 2 DRS.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of ophthalmologic examination and thin-sectioned magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the brainstem level and the orbit was performed on 12 patients who showed the typical signs of type 2 DRS, including adduction deficit; globe retraction; narrowing of fissure on adduction; and upshoot, downshoot, or both.

Main outcome measures: Presence of the abducens nerve and any other extraocular muscle abnormalities discovered by MRI scan.

Results: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of the abducens nerve in all the affected eyes (n = 13) of 12 patients with type 2 DRS.

Conclusions: The abducens nerve is present on the affected side in type 2 Duane's retraction syndrome.