Dr. KARTHIK KUMAR MANI

DR. VIRNA SHAH, Dr. SIDDHARTH NARENDRAN

Abstract

Aim: We intend to study the incidence, etiology and clinical profile of multiple cranial nerve palsies at a tertiary eye care centre in South India. Design: Retrospective observational study. Materials and methods: Data of 92 patients with multiple cranial nerve palsies including demographic details, clinical profile, etiology, neuroimaging, fundus, blood investigations and treatment were analysed. Results: Mean age of presentation was 48.3 ± 15 years. The most common causes were inflammatory(36%), trauma(30%), infective(15%) and tumour(11%). Most common etiology was found to be inflammatory followed by trauma in pre-COVID when compared to inflammatory followed by infective in post COVID period. Conclusion: Clinical examination of all cranial nerves is essential, and neuroimaging plays an important role in finding out the exact etiology and prompt treatment. Fungal etiology and neoplasm should be ruled out since they are vision and life threatening which needs timely intervention.

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