Cranial mononeuropathy VI

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Central nervous system

Cranial mononeuropathy VI is a nerve disorder that causes double vision.

Abducens palsy; Lateral rectus palsy

Cranial mononeuropathy VI is damage to the sixth cranial (skull) nerve. This nerve, also called the abducens nerve, helps controls eye movement.

Abducens nerve disorders are often associated with:

• Diabetic neuropathy
• Trauma
• Infections (such as meningitis or sinusitis)
• Infarction (tissue damage from loss of blood flow)
• Brain aneurysms
• Tumors
• Increased intracranial pressure (pressure within the skull)

In some people, no cause is found.

Because there are common nerve pathways through the skull, the disorder may affect other cranial nerves (such as the third or fourth cranial nerve).

Review Date: 04/28/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.