Bilateral abducens nerve palsies and urinary retention caused by the rupture of a vertebral artery aneurysm: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE

Bilateral abducens nerve deficits caused by vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm have been reported, but there have been no reports regarding accompanying urinary retention.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In this report, we describe an unusual case with bilateral abducens nerve palsy and urinary retention due to rupture of a vertebral aneurysm.

DIAGNOSES

Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by the rupture of a left VA aneurysm.

INTERVENTIONS

The VA aneurysm was successfully controlled by coil embolization.

OUTCOMES

Urinary retention was improved after embolization and recovered by the day the patient left hospital. The bilateral abducens nerve palsy gradually recovered 6 months later.

LESSONS

This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a broad, open mind in approaching the diagnosis and management of urinary retention associated with cranial nerve symptoms and reacting quickly to the clinical developments.