SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisolone

Introduction: The abducens nerve (sixth cranial nerve) is a motor nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle, playing a key role in ocular abduction. Palsy of this nerve leads to convergent strabismus and diplopia. Common causes include strokes, trauma, inflammation, and infections, though in s...

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Main Authors: João Hugo Abdalla Santos, Ligia Fernandes Abdalla, Cleitiene de Souza Sierpinski, Camila Feldberg Porto, Felipe Gomes Naveca
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:IDCases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000563
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author João Hugo Abdalla Santos
Ligia Fernandes Abdalla
Cleitiene de Souza Sierpinski
Camila Feldberg Porto
Felipe Gomes Naveca
author_facet João Hugo Abdalla Santos
Ligia Fernandes Abdalla
Cleitiene de Souza Sierpinski
Camila Feldberg Porto
Felipe Gomes Naveca
author_sort João Hugo Abdalla Santos
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The abducens nerve (sixth cranial nerve) is a motor nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle, playing a key role in ocular abduction. Palsy of this nerve leads to convergent strabismus and diplopia. Common causes include strokes, trauma, inflammation, and infections, though in some cases, the etiology remains undetermined. With the emergence of COVID-19, neurological manifestations such as cranial neuropathies, including abducens nerve palsy, have been reported. Case presentation: We present a case of a previously healthy 48-year-old male diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed abducens nerve palsy in the left eye. Following the resolution of respiratory symptoms, strabismus persisted. Treatment with methylprednisolone was initiated, resulting in partial recovery within one week and complete resolution after three months. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2-induced abducens nerve palsy can be reversible with conservative treatment using methylprednisolone. Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for achieving a favorable prognosis.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Elsevier
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series IDCases
spelling doaj-art-d4828a84b67f4e18b6e64b05eb4efb652025-08-20T02:05:17ZengElsevierIDCases2214-25092025-01-0140e0220110.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02201SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisoloneJoão Hugo Abdalla Santos0Ligia Fernandes Abdalla1Cleitiene de Souza Sierpinski2Camila Feldberg Porto3Felipe Gomes Naveca4Hospital Adventista de Manaus, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Amazonas, BrazilUniversidade Estadual do Amazonas, Brazil; Corresponding author.Hospital Adventista de Manaus, BrazilUniversidade Federal do Amazonas, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz, BrazilIntroduction: The abducens nerve (sixth cranial nerve) is a motor nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle, playing a key role in ocular abduction. Palsy of this nerve leads to convergent strabismus and diplopia. Common causes include strokes, trauma, inflammation, and infections, though in some cases, the etiology remains undetermined. With the emergence of COVID-19, neurological manifestations such as cranial neuropathies, including abducens nerve palsy, have been reported. Case presentation: We present a case of a previously healthy 48-year-old male diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed abducens nerve palsy in the left eye. Following the resolution of respiratory symptoms, strabismus persisted. Treatment with methylprednisolone was initiated, resulting in partial recovery within one week and complete resolution after three months. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2-induced abducens nerve palsy can be reversible with conservative treatment using methylprednisolone. Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for achieving a favorable prognosis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000563COVID-19Abducens nerve palsyCranial neuropathyMethylprednisolone
spellingShingle João Hugo Abdalla Santos
Ligia Fernandes Abdalla
Cleitiene de Souza Sierpinski
Camila Feldberg Porto
Felipe Gomes Naveca
SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisolone
IDCases
COVID-19
Abducens nerve palsy
Cranial neuropathy
Methylprednisolone
title SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisolone
title_full SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisolone
title_fullStr SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisolone
title_full_unstemmed SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisolone
title_short SARS-CoV-2 induced abducens nerve palsy: A case report and response to methylprednisolone
title_sort sars cov 2 induced abducens nerve palsy a case report and response to methylprednisolone
topic COVID-19
Abducens nerve palsy
Cranial neuropathy
Methylprednisolone
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000563
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