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Complete oculomotor palsy caused by persistent trigeminal artery

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Abstract

Primitive trigeminal artery (PTA) is the most frequent embryonic communication between the carotid and vertebro-basilar system. PTA is a pathophysiology phenomenon which has been implicated as a rare cause of cranial nerve dysfunction. We report the case of a 40-year-old woman who developed a complete oculomotor nerve palsy caused by a persistent ecstatic trigeminal artery. Brain MRI and MRA studies documented a neurovascular conflict between the oculomotor nerve and a PTA. To the best of our knowledge there is no report about complete third cranial nerve palsy NC due to a PTA. A role of this rare vascular condition is discussed.

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The authors report no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, “S. Giovanni di Dio” Hospital, Via Largo Bologna, 88900, Crotone, Italy

    Domenico Bosco & Massimiliano Plastino

  2. Department of Neuroscience, “G. Jazzolino” Hospital, 89900, Vibo Valentia, Italy

    Domenico Consoli

  3. Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, Mangone, Cosenza, Italy

    Pier Luigi Lanza

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, “Pugliese-Ciaccio” Hospital, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy

    Francesco Nicoletti & Claudio Ceccotti

Authors
  1. Domenico Bosco
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  2. Domenico Consoli
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  3. Pier Luigi Lanza
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  4. Massimiliano Plastino
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  5. Francesco Nicoletti
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  6. Claudio Ceccotti
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Correspondence to Domenico Bosco.

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Bosco, D., Consoli, D., Lanza, P.L. et al. Complete oculomotor palsy caused by persistent trigeminal artery. Neurol Sci 31, 657–659 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0342-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0342-1

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