Complete ophthalmoplegia, complete ptosis and dilated pupil due to internal carotid artery dissection: as the first manifestation of Takayasu arteritis

BACKGROUND: Takayasu arteritis is a rare, chronic large vessel vasculitis involving the aorta and its primary branches. As the disease progresses, the active inflammation of large vessels leads to dilation, narrowing and occlusion of the arteries. Arterial dissection is due to separation of the layers of the arterial wall resulting in a false lumen, where blood seeps into the vessel wall. Neurological sequelae of intracranial arterial dissection results from cerebral ischemia due to thromboembolism and hypo perfusion. Internal carotid artery dissection in Takayasu arteritis is very rare and complete ophthalmoplegia due to internal carotid artery dissection is also rare. This is the first case report of Takayasu arteritis presenting as complete ophthalmoplegia due to internal carotid artery dissection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old Sri Lankan female presented with sudden onset severe headache, fixed dilated pupil, complete ptosis and ophthalmoplegia on the right side. On imaging, dissection and dilatation was evident in the right internal carotid artery from the origin up to the cavernous segment. She also had stenosis and aneurysmal dilatation of right subclavian artery. Takayasu arteritis was diagnosed subsequently. She was started on aspirin and high dose steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Internal carotid artery dissection within the cavernous sinus can lead to third, fourth and sixth nerve palsy due to compression, stretching and ischemia from occlusion of the nutritional arteries. This case report illustrates that internal carotid artery dissection should be a differential diagnosis in palsies of the third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerves, especially when associated with headache. In cases of internal carotid artery dissection, vasculitis such as Takayasu arteritis should also be considered.