• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.66-69
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• 2008

Traumatic bilateral abducens nerve palsy is rare and is associated with intracranial, skull and cervical spine injuries. We report a case of bilateral abducens nerve palsy in a 40-month-old patient with a skull base fracture. The injury mechanism was associated with direct nerve injury caused by a right petrous bone fracture and indirect injury by frontal impact on the abducens nerve at the point of fixation to the petrous portion and Dorello's canal. The emergency physician should be aware of injuries and the mechanism of abducens nerve palsy in head trauma.