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Recurrent isolated sixth nerve palsy in children.
Annals of Ophthalmology
|March 1, 1984
Summary
Recurrent sixth nerve palsy in children often lacks identifiable causes, challenging the notion that most cases are post-infectious. Further research is needed to understand this benign condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Sixth nerve palsy (also known as abducens nerve palsy) is a common cause of acute-onset strabismus in children.
- While often attributed to post-infectious or post-viral causes, the etiology of isolated sixth nerve palsy remains uncertain.
Observation:
- This study observed six children with recurrent sixth nerve palsy, averaging six weeks per episode.
- Recurrences were frequent, with an average interval of 1.3 years, and often occurred on the same side (ipsilateral).
Findings:
- No identifiable intracranial processes were associated with these recurrent palsies.
- The findings suggest that not all recurrent sixth nerve palsies in children are post-infectious, indicating a potentially larger group of 'benign' isolated cases than previously recognized.
Implications:
- The etiology of isolated, recurrent sixth nerve palsy in children remains largely unknown.
- This highlights the importance of considering recurrent sixth nerve palsy as a distinct entity, separate from single-episode palsies that may have more serious underlying causes.
- Diagnosis of benign sixth nerve palsy is retrospective, emphasizing the need for careful observation.