Are isolated ocular motor nerve palsies in the elderly truly 'low risk' for abnormal neuro-imaging outcomes?

Neurologically isolated ocular motor nerve palsies often present a management dilemma. Neuroimaging is more likely to be offered to patients <50 years without coexisting ischaemic risk factors as their risk of sinister underlying causes is thought to be higher. However, populations are rapidly ageing and advanced neuroimaging is now more widely available. We thus investigated the incidence of abnormal neuroimaging outcomes in the traditionally low-risk older patient group.

This is a retrospective cohort study of 353 patients presenting with isolated ocular motor nerve palsies to a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology service in Singapore over a four-year (2015 to 2019) period. Clinical data was obtained through manual review of case records. Common aetiologies, age-based differences in prevalence of causes and abnormal neuroimaging outcomes were statistically analysed.

Abnormal neuroimaging outcomes were significantly greater in the younger cohort only when age segregation was performed at 60 years of age. In a multivariate analysis, acute onset rather than ischaemic risk factors were independently predictive of normal neuroimaging outcomes. After adjusting for prior cancer risk and clinical bias from presumed ischaemic palsies, abnormal neuroimaging outcomes were seen in 14.1% ≥ 50 yrs, 10.9% ≥ 60 yrs and 15.1% ≥ 70 yrs.

In patients presenting with isolated ocular motor nerve palsies, acute onset may be a more reliable indicator of an ischaemic palsy rather than advanced age or presence of ischaemic risk factors. If onset is not acute, neuroimaging should be considered irrespective of age and coexisting ischaemic risk factors.