Isolated Congenital Absence of Cranial Nerves: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Isolated cranial nerve absence is a rare condition that can be diagnosed using high-resolution cranial nerve magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Thorough clinical examination with proper knowledge of the course of cranial nerves may help diagnose this rare condition. We describe two cases, one each of, isolated congenital absence of the third and seventh cranial nerve with their clinical presentation. High-resolution T2-weighted MR imaging was done in both patients which revealed absence of cisternal segment of the right-sided third nerve and cisternal with canalicular segment of the right-sided facial nerve.

Keywords

isolated - cranial nerve - absence

^* These authors contributed equally to the manuscript.

• References

• 1 Kumar I, Verma A, Ojha R, Aggarwal P. Congenital facial nerve aplasia: MR depiction of a rare anomaly. Indian J Radiol Imaging 2016; 26 (04) 517-520
• 2 Fang C, Leavitt JA, Hodge DO, Holmes JM, Mohney BG, Chen JJ. Incidence and etiologies of acquired third nerve palsy using a population-based method. JAMA Ophthalmol 2017; 135 (01) 23-28
• 3 Glastonbury CM, Davidson HC, Harnsberger HR, Butler J, Kertesz TR, Shelton C. Imaging findings of cochlear nerve deficiency. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2002; 23 (04) 635-643
• 4 Holmes JM, Mutyala S, Maus TL, Grill R, Hodge DO, Gray DT. Pediatric third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsies: a population-based study. Am J Ophthalmol 1999; 127 (04) 388-392
• 5 Ng YS, Lyons CJ. Oculomotor nerve palsy in childhood. Can J Ophthalmol 2005; 40 (05) 645-653
• 6 Ing EB, Sullivan TJ, Clarke MP, Buncic JR. Oculomotor nerve palsies in children. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 1992; 29 (06) 331-336
• 7 Mudgil AV, Repka MX. Ophthalmologic outcome after third cranial nerve palsy or paresis in childhood. J AAPOS 1999; 3 (01) 2-8
• 8 Keith CG. Oculomotor nerve palsy in childhood. Aust N Z J Ophthalmol 1987; 15 (03) 181-184
• 9 Sannagowdara K, Harmelink M, Inglese C, Maheshwari M. Congenital unilateral facial nerve hypoplasia and parotid gland agenesis. Neurology 2015; 84 (14, Suppl): 105
• 10 Parmalee AH. Molding due to intra-uterine posture: facial paralysis probably due to such molding. Am J Dis Child 1931; 42: 1155-1159
• 11 Jemec B, Grobbelaar AO, Harrison DH. The abnormal nucleus as a cause of congenital facial palsy. Arch Dis Child 2000; 83 (03) 256-258
• 12 Curtin HD, Sanelli PC, Som PM. Temporal Bone: Embryology and Anatomy. In: Som PM, Curtin HD. , eds. Head and Neck Imaging. 4th ed. St Louis: Mosby Year Book; 2003: 1057-1075