Unilateral abducens nerve palsy: a presenting sign of sphenoid sinus mucocoeles

Abstract

AbstractSphenoid sinus mucocoeles can stimulate a variety of pathological conditions and patients can present to a range of specialists. Because of the relative rarity of sphenoid sinus mucocoeles, diagnosis is often delayed and these lesions can progressively expand and cause direct mechanical compression on adjacent structures. We present three cases which presented with an abducens nerve palsy. Early surgical intervention is advocated and these patient's symptoms resolved following surgery. Although several conditions can present with an abducens nerve palsy, it is important to consider a sphenoid sinus mucocoele in the differential diagnosis.