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Case Reports
. 2022 Sep;24(3):267-275.
doi: 10.7461/jcen.2022.E2021.06.007. Epub 2022 Mar 23.

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy secondary to non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Shyle Mehta  1 , Abhijith Bathini  1 , Anwesha Dubey  2 , Awinita Barpujari  1 , Ahmad Kassem  2 , Mohanad Sulaiman  3 , Mandy Binning  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy secondary to non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Shyle Mehta et al. J Cerebrovasc Endovasc Neurosurg. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

We present a case series of two patients who developed unilateral cranial nerve III (CNIII) palsy following non-aneurysmal SAH (NASAH). Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can present with various signs and symptoms. Early diagnosis is paramount to determine treatment course. Thus, clinicians must be aware of the variable clinical presentations of this condition. Two patients were admitted to a single institution for SAH. Patient 1, 52-year-old male, presented with headache, left eye ptosis, and painless diplopia. A non-contrast head computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a SAH within the left sylvian fissure and blood surrounding the mesencephalon and falx. Patient 2, 70-year-old male, presented with mild headache, acute onset of blurry vision, and right eye ptosis. A non-contrast head CT demonstrated a diffuse SAH predominantly in the Sylvian and suprasellar cisterns. Patients were admitted to the neuro intensive care unit and underwent diagnostic angiograms to identify possible aneurysms. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiograms for both patients were negative. Patients were managed with best medical therapy and followed up in the outpatient setting. Unilateral CNIII palsy in the setting of NASAH was identified in both patients. Diagnostic angiograms were negative for aneurysms; therefore, SAH were determined to be spontaneous. We propose that unilateral CNIII palsy is a possible sign of NASAH.

Keywords: Cranial; Hemorrhage; Nerve; Oculomotor; Palsy; Subarachnoid.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
CT Angiography of the posterior circulation demonstrating no evidence of AVM or aneurysm. CT, computed tomography; AVM, arteriovenous malformations
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Digital subtraction angiogram of the posterior circulation demonstrating no evidence of AVM or aneurysm (Patient 1). AVM, arteriovenous malformations
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
CTA demonstrating no evidence of AVM or aneurysm. CTA, computed tomography angiogram; AVM, arteriovenous malformations
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
MRA demonstrating no evidence of AVM or aneurysm. MRA, magnetic resonance angiogram; AVM, arteriovenous malformations
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Digital subtraction angiogram of the posterior circulation demonstrating no evidence of AVM or aneurysm (Patient 2). AVM, arteriovenous malformations
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Patient 1. internal carotid artery angiogram. AP, anteroposterior
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Patient 2. internal carotid artery angiogram. AP, anteroposterior
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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