Isolated Abducens Nerve Palsy Associated With Chikungunya: A Report of a Rare Case

Cureus. 2024 Oct 16;16(10):e71666. doi: 10.7759/cureus.71666. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Chikungunya is an arboviral disease transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, characteristically causing high-grade fever with painful arthralgia. Ocular manifestations secondary to chikungunya infection are not very common but have been reported, including cranial nerve involvement. We report a case of a 60-year-old Indian female with left abducens nerve palsy secondary to chikungunya infection for which a complete ophthalmic evaluation was done. The patient was managed with intravenous steroids for five days and then shifted to oral steroids after which she significantly improved within two weeks of treatment.

Keywords: chikungunya; diplopia; mosquito borne infection; ophthalmology; sixth nerve palsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports