Outcome of abducens nerve paralysis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence, management and outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who developed Vlth nerve palsy.

METHODS

Between December 1993 and December 1999, we investigated retrospectively the charts of 166 patients with NPC.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of 166 patients (16.8%) had cranial nerve involvement at the time of the diagnosis of NPC. Sixteen (57.2%) were identified as having abducens nerve palsy. In 25% abducens nerve palsy was the presenting symptom. Three patients were able to compensate for their diplopia after prism correction or botulinum toxin-A injection, and six (50%) completely recovered from abducens nerve palsy after either radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Abducens is the most common cranial nerve involved in NPC, radiotherapy and or chemotherapy relieves the paralysis in half the patients. Prism correction or botulinum toxin-A injection are effective non-invasive procedures for patients with significant diplopia.