Traumatic Avulsion Of The Oculomotor Nerve

Direct traumatic oculomotor nerve injury is uncommon. In the setting of severe head trauma, third nerve root avulsion from the brainstem can result from differential mass movements and the relationship between the brainstem, supratentorial structures, and the skull bones. Autopsy studies have described traumatic avulsion of the oculomotor nerve, however detailed characterization of mechanisms of injury and precise locations of nerve damage has yet to be definitively described in vivo. We report a case where high resolution MRI imaging confirmed irreversible injury to the left third cranial nerve allowing for more informed management decisions.