A case of bilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis commonly presents with headache, seizure, and motor weakness. Among cranial nerves, the abducens nerve is common to get involved. We report a patient who had cerebral venous sinus thrombosis involving superior sagittal sinus, right lateral sinus, and right internal jugular vein and presented with bilateral lower motor neuron (LMN) facial palsy besides bilateral abducens nerve palsy and bilateral optic nerve involvement in the form of papilledema. A few cases of cerebral venous thrombosis involving lateral sinus with ipsilateral LMN facial nerve palsy have been reported. Our case highlights the rare occurrence of bilateral LMN facial palsy with unilateral lateral sinus involvement.

Keywords

• cerebral venous thrombosis
• cranial nerve palsy
• facial paralysis