PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - G J Hollis
TI  - Sixth cranial nerve palsy following closed head injury in a child.
AID  - 10.1136/emj.14.3.172
DP  - 1997 May 01
TA  - Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
PG  - 172--175
VI  - 14
IP  - 3
4099  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/14/3/172.short
4100  - http://emj.bmj.com/content/14/3/172.full
SO  - Arch Emerg Med1997 May 01; 14
AB  - A five year old female had an isolated abducens nerve palsy following closed head injury. There was no associated skull fracture, haematoma, or other cranial nerve injury. The significance, frequency, and differential diagnosis of traumatic sixth cranial nerve injury is discussed, particularly in paediatric patients. Management is symptomatic; occlusion with an eye pad may be used if diplopia is significant. In young children alternate day occlusion of each eye will help prevent amblyopia. Most cases improve within three months and many resolve by six months. Residual palsy at six months is likely to be permanent and surgical treatment may be needed.