A Case of the Third Nerve Palsy in a Patient with Orbital Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a case of orbital aspergillosis with third nerve palsy. CASE SUMMARY: A 75-year-old male presented with abrupt onset of visual impairment, extraocular movement limitation, and ptosis. The patient previously experienced rhinolalia and headache and was diagnosed with sinusitis 2 months prior, and was treated with oral antibiotics for 1 week. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass with bone erosion including the nasal cavity, ethmoid bone, and left orbit suggestive of fugal sinusitis. Aspergillus was detected histopathologically in the mass which was removed by endoscopic surgery. Amphotericin B was administered intravenously for 7 days along with voriconazole. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Extraocular movement limitations and ptosis were recovered postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results indicate that visual impairment and third nerve palsy can develop in a patient with orbital aspergillosis.