Isolated third nerve palsy from mild closed head trauma

ABSTRACT

Head injury is a common occurrence in motor vehicle accidents. There are numerous causes for cranial nerve injury that include head trauma or other lesions. Few studies regarding cranial nerve injury following mild head trauma [GCS 14 - 15] exist in the literature. [1]The oculomotor nerve is a somatic and visceral motor nerve. When it is completely injured the result is ptosis, pupils that are non-reactive to light and a lack of eye movement. We report the case of a completely isolated oculomotor nerve palsy associated with minor head injury