A Case Of Recurrent Painful Ophthalmoplegic Neuropathy With Associated Oculomotor Nerve Tumour

Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON) replaced the term 'ophthalmoplegic migraine' as the condition behaves more like an inflammatory cranial neuropathy than a primary headache disorder. RPON may be associated with cranial nerve thickening on MR imaging and persistent oculomotor paresis. Oculomotor tumours have rarely been described in cases of relapsing painful ophthalmoplegia with and without persistent paresis. Here, we present a case of relapsing painful left ophthalmoplegia that gradually became persistent. MR imaging after 14 years of symptoms revealed an enhancing tumour of the left oculomotor nerve. It is unclear whether the tumour was the cause of the attacks or whether repeated cycles could lead to tumour development. MR imaging is indicated in patients with RPON who develop persistent deficits to screen for associated oculomotor tumour.