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Diabetic Cranial Neuropathies

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The Cranial Nerves in Neurology

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Abstract

Diabetic cranial neuropathies are much less prevalent than other forms of diabetic neuropathy, but the association of cranial neuropathies with diabetes is unequivocal. Overt cranial neuropathies affect less than 1% of diabetic patients, but there is a four to sevenfold increased risk of cranial neuropathies in diabetes. Cranial neuropathies of CNs III, VI, and VII constitute the majority of clinical cases. Certain clinical features, such as pupillary sparing in CN III cranial neuropathy and preserved taste sensation in CN VII cranial neuropathy, favor a diabetic etiology. In general, diabetic cranial neuropathies do not correlate strongly with microvascular complications of diabetes and can present early or at the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes also results in CN I, V, VIII, and X cranial neuropathies, the latter resulting in the early manifestations of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). There is limited pathological evidence concerning cranial neuropathies, but clinical characteristics and behavior suggest that alternate mechanisms from microvasculitis need to be elucidated. Insight about common cranial neuropathies aids in counselling patients and allaying concerns by highlighting the favorable prognosis for recovery in most cranial neuropathies.

Authors of this chapter: Deepak Menon and Vera Bril.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Deepak Menon

  2. Division of Neurology, Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre forNeuromuscular Disorders, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Vera Bril

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Menon, D., Bril, V. (2023). Diabetic Cranial Neuropathies. In: The Cranial Nerves in Neurology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43081-7_20

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