# Pupil Unleashed: Unraveling the Enigma of an Unusual Traumatic Head Injury: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A rare case of oculomotor nerve palsy after a mild head injury highlights the need for careful evaluation to detect hidden brain issues.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the unusual occurrence of isolated oculomotor nerve palsy following minor head trauma.

## Key findings

- A 24-year-old male developed severe vision loss and oculomotor nerve palsy after a minor head injury.
- Initial imaging showed brain hemorrhage and contusion but no direct cause for the nerve palsy.
- Partial recovery was observed after 12 months, emphasizing the need for thorough clinical and radiological evaluation.

## Abstract

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy after mild traumatic brain injury is unusual and prognostically significant due to unclear mechanisms and recovery challenges. We present a case of isolated oculomotor nerve palsy following minor head trauma, shedding light on this unusual occurrence.

A 24-year-old male experienced severe vision loss and right-sided oculomotor nerve palsy after a motor vehicle collision. Initial imaging showed a hemorrhagic focus in the left posterior fossa and a contusion in the corpus callosum, yet no direct cause for the nerve palsy was found. Partial recovery was observed after 12 months.

This case underscores the importance of maintaining a heightened suspicion for occult intracranial findings, especially when the initial non-contrast computed tomography was inconclusive. Timely clinical assessment and appropriate radiological investigations by emergency physicians are crucial for improving the prognosis.