Sixth nerve palsy

Background

Palsy of the abducens nerve, CN VI, is the most common ocular nerve palsy. The abducens nerve innervates the ipsilateral lateral rectus muscle, controlling eye abduction. A palsy results in an esotropia of the affected eye due to the unopposed action of the medial rectus muscle.

Clinical Features

Patients with a CN VI palsy frequently present with diploplia and esotropia.

Differential Diagnosis

• Giant Cell Arteritis
• Medial Orbital Fracture (with entrapment of the medial rectus muscle)
• ocular Myasthenia Gravis
• Miller-Fisher Syndrome Guillian-Barre Syndrome
• Congenital Esotropia

See Also

• Ocular palsy
• Cranial nerves