What is 6th nerve palsy?

- Also known as abducens nerve palsy - A neurological defect resulting from an impaired sixth nerve. - Cranial nerve six supplies the lateral rectus muscle allowing for outward (abduction) eye movement

6. Eye abducts slightly 7. Papilledema (upon fundus examination) 8. fever DIAGNOSTIC TESTS: 1. MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)- to exclude infections, autoimmune disorder, vitamin deficiencies, or inflammation. 2. CT scan 3. ophthalmoscopy 4. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)- to exclude increased intracranial pressure or infection 5. Funduscopy 6. CBC (complete blood count) 7. Fasting blood glucose-to exclude diabetes 8. If vasculitis is suspected (ESR,antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor).

CAUSES: 1. idiopathic 2. Increased intracranial pressure 3. Head trauma 4. Wernickes encephalopathy 5. Infection 6. Meningitis 7. Aneurysm 8. Vasculitis 9. With concurrent history of diabetes and hypertension. 10. Myasthenia gravis 11. Lyme disease 12. syphilis

TREATMENT: 1. Eye patch 2. Prism eyeglasses 3. Surgery 4. Activity restrictions (such as driving, and have leave of absence)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: 1. Double vision (diplopia) 2. Headaches 3. Swelling in the eye 4. Numbness about the face 5. Loss of vision or impaired eye movement direction

References:

http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/sixth-nerve-palsy http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec16/ch219/ ch219f.html http://www.ehow.com/way_5312967_sixth-nerve-palsytreatment.html http://www.livestrong.com/article/313520-sixth-nervepalsy-eye-exercise/

PREPARED BY: MALLARI, Melissa Bernadette L. BSN IV-L1