Microvascular decompression is effective for oculomotor nerve palsy caused by posterior cerebral artery compression:...

Oculomotor nerve palsy is often associated with diabetes mellitus or caused by compression by a cerebral aneurysm. Here, we report a rare case of oculomotor nerve palsy caused by compression by the posterior cerebral artery (PCA).

A 66-year-old woman suddenly developed diplopia and right blepharoptosis. Her symptoms suggested incomplete right oculomotor nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that a sharp curve in the right PCA had compressed the right oculomotor nerve. Microvascular decompression surgery was performed. Intraoperative findings showed that the P2 portion of the PCA had caused an indentation in the oculomotor nerve in the prepontine cistern. The transposition of the PCA with a prosthesis released the pressure. After the operation, her right blepharoptosis gradually improved. She had fully recovered by 48 days after the operation.

Neurovascular compression (NVC) is recognized as the cause of hemifacial spasms, trigeminal neuralgia, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. This case report demonstrated that NVC can also cause oculomotor nerve palsy. A high index of clinical suspicion can detect vascular compression of the oculomotor nerve. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical management can achieve clinical improvement.