Transient traumatic isolated neurogenic ptosis after a mild head trauma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Transient traumatic isolated neurogenic ptosis (TTINP) is a sporadically reported rare entity. However, to the best of our knowledge, nearly all the reported cases are either secondary to direct periorbital trauma or surgery. We would like to report on a case of TTINP with countre-coup injury of the periorbital region. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old female slipped and fell down while walking. She was hospitalized with a moderate headache and undisturbed mental state. The patient recalled that the force bearing point was her occipital region. Physical examination and computed tomography (CT) on admission showed right isolated ptosis and mild contusion and laceration in the bilateral frontal cortex. Further radiological investigation revealed nothing remarkable except for a fracture of the superior portion of the right medial orbital wall. She was managed conservatively and recovered completely in two months. CONCLUSION: TTINP might manifest as a unique entity with a relatively mild, reversible, and non-devastating injury to the terminal branch of the oculomotor nerve and for which perhaps no special treatment is needed. The proposed mechanism is injury of the terminal branch of the superior division of the oculomotor nerve.