Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Transient ocular motor nerve palsies associated with presumed cranial nerve schwannomas
Robert K Shin1, Luis J Mejico, Aki Kawasaki
1Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (RKS), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology (LJM), SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York; Department of Ophthalmology (AK), University of Lausanne, Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin and Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland; Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology (VAP), Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana; Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology (MLM), Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology (MLM), Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Département de Neurosciences (DB), Université de Montréal, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Background:
Cranial nerve schwannomas are radiologically characterized by nodular cranial nerve enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Schwannomas typically present with gradually progressive symptoms, but isolated reports have suggested that schwannomas may cause fluctuating symptoms as well.
Methods:
This is a report of ten cases of presumed cranial nerve schwannoma that presented with transient or recurring ocular motor nerve deficits.
Results:
Schwannomas of the third, fourth, and fifth nerves resulted in fluctuating deficits of all 3 ocular motor nerves. Persistent nodular cranial nerve enhancement was present on sequential MRI studies. Several episodes of transient oculomotor (III) deficts were associated with headaches, mimicking ophthalmoplegic migraine.
Conclusions:
Cranial nerve schwannomas may result in relapsing and remitting cranial nerve symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
Cranial Nerves: Types Part I
Olfactory Nerve (Cranial Nerve I)
The olfactory nerve, or cranial nerve I, is unique as it is purely sensory and dedicated to the sense of smell. This nerve originates in the olfactory epithelium of the...
Cranial Part of Parasympathetic Division
The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) alone accounts for approximately 75...
Cranial Nerves: Overview and Anatomy
Cranial Nerves: Types Part II
Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)
Cranial nerve VII, or the facial nerve,...
Accessory Structures of the Eye
Prosopagnosia

