Ocular palsy occurring with pituitary tumors

Abstract

✓ Pituitary tumors caused ocular paresis in nine of 64 patients studied. Most commonly affected of the ocular motor nerves was the third cranial nerve. The third nerve defect was total in three patients and partial in four. The levator palpebral superioris was the most commonly affected, causing either a partial or complete ptosis. Four of the seven patients with third cranial nerve paresis had normal pupillary function, two had sixth nerve paresis; one fourth nerve involvement, and in one, all three nerves to the ocular muscles were affected. Two patients had isolated sixth cranial nerve paralysis without involvement of the third cranial nerve. Seven of the nine patients reviewed had full return of eye movement after intracranial surgical removal of the pituitary tumor.