Sixth nerve palsy of para-infectious origin

Abstract

Acute abducens palsy of para-infectious origin is uncommon in adulthood. We present the case history of a 28-year-old woman suffering from acute onset diplopia due to abducens palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed signs suggestive of frank ipsilateral maxillary sinusitis. The lack of anatomical relationship between the maxillary sinus and the abducens nerve led us to conclude that the abducens palsy was of para-infectious origin.