Intracavernous schwannoma of the abducens nerve: a review of the clinical features, radiology and pathology of an unusual case.

We report a case of an intracavernous abducens nerve schwannoma presenting in a 19 year old male of Mediterranean origin. This is only the second report of an abducens nerve schwannoma located entirely within the cavernous sinus. The lesion resulted in a progressive diplopia and focal abducens palsy. The clinical, radiological and pathological features are presented. A literature search has identified only four other abducens nerve schwannomas arising completely or partly within the cavernous sinus. We review these cases and aspects of other ocular cranial nerve schwannomas.