Cranial Nerve VI Palsy After a Traumatic Retroclival Hematoma

Retroclival hematoma may present after head trauma, particularly with etiologies that induce hypermobility of the neck. The anatomical trajectory of cranial nerve (CN) VI passing within the fibrous sheath of Dorello's canal and entering the dura inferior to the posterior clinoid process, makes the abducens nerves prone to stretching, shearing, or compression from clival injuries. Anatomical differences at the craniocervical junction in children may make them more prone to an increased incidence of post-traumatic retroclival hematomas and CN VI injuries.