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Venous anastomotic circle, multiple varices and oculomotor palsy—a rare coincidence

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Abstract

Oculomotor nerve palsy due to a venous varix arising from flow anomalies caused by a dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare phenomenon. We report a case of surgical third nerve palsy with a rare underlying AVF as the cause and discuss in detail the patho-anatomy and its significance. A tentorial dural AVF mimicking the arterial circle was found with multiple varix formation causing compressive oculomotor palsy. This was treated successfully with Onyx™ injection with a satisfactory angiographic result and complete resolution of symptoms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK

    Nitin Mukerji, Julian Cahill, Nikolaos Tzerakis & Fred P. Nath

  2. Department of Neuroradiology, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, UK

    James E. Dervin

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  1. Nitin Mukerji
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  2. Julian Cahill
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  3. Nikolaos Tzerakis
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  4. Fred P. Nath
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  5. James E. Dervin
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Correspondence to Nitin Mukerji.

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Mukerji, N., Cahill, J., Tzerakis, N. et al. Venous anastomotic circle, multiple varices and oculomotor palsy—a rare coincidence. Acta Neurochir 152, 2205–2209 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-010-0819-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-010-0819-y

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