A Rare Side Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination: Abducens Nerve Palsy

Introduction

Sixth cranial nerve palsy is the most common ocular motor palsy [1]. In the elderly population, these palsies are commonly caused by microvascular disease or compressive tumors [2].

Immunization-related cranial nerve palsies have been reported previously in the literature [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]. After exclusion of organic lesions, which cause acute abducens palsy in adults, immunization should be considered for the diagnosis. COVID-19 immunization-related oculomotor palsies are not well known, as only one case of abducens nerve palsy after immunization has been reported [9]. After exclusion of possible causative factors for acute abducens palsy in adults with neuroimaging, immunization should be considered for the diagnosis.

Publication History

Received: 26 June 2021

Accepted: 25 March 2022

Article published online:
18 May 2022

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