Isolated lateral rectus muscle palsy associated with leukopenia in two adults

Benign lateral rectus palsy developed in two adults, a 62-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman. Both were hospitalized because of headache and diplopia. Extensive laboratory and neurologic testing showed no abnormalities except leukopenia (the white blood cell count was 2,600 cells/mm3 in one patient and 3,100 cells/mm3 in the other). Both recovered without treatment. The benign course and spontaneous improvement in both patients suggested that extensive neurodiagnostic procedures can be deferred for several weeks in such patients.