One-Sided Headache Is a Symptom Suggesting Aneurysmal Lesion in Patients with Isolated Abducens Nerve Palsy

An isolated unilateral abducens nerve palsy or headache alone usually yields negative findings on neuroimages. The authors report an individual with right abducens nerve palsy who developed a sudden, persistent headache on the right side. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed a giant aneurysm of the cavernous carotid artery that was located along the course of the right abducens nerve. The findings in this case of isolated abducens nerve palsy suggest that headaches should be considered as important signs for intracranial aneurysmal lesions.