Abducens nerve palsy after radiofrequency rhizolysis for trigeminal neuralgia: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Abducens nerve palsy is a rare and reversible complication associated with percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizolysis.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

An 86-year-old man developed an abducens nerve palsy immediately after undergoing percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizolysis for severe trigeminal neuralgia involving all three divisions of the trigeminal nerve. The palsy resolved spontaneously after 2 months.

CONCLUSION

This case, in combination with previous reports, suggests that cases of transient sixth nerve palsy associated with percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal rhizolysis for trigeminal neuralgia are more likely to occur in elderly patients with ophthalmic division involvement.