Benign isolated sixth nerve palsy in a child- a case report

Abducens or sixth cranial nerve innervates lateral rectus muscle and pathology of this nerve results in abduction deficiency of ipsilateral eye. A 6-year-old girl presented with squinting and diplopia. Two weeks ago she suffered from mild cough and cold, likely viral fever. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and magnetic resonance imaging of brain excluded any underlying disorder of central nervous system. Squint and diplopia subsided on its own within 3 weeks. Apart from serious etiologies benign isolated sixth nerve palsy can occur in children following viral prodrome and usually subsides within weeks without any treatment.