Resolution of Third Cranial Nerve Palsy Following Endovascular Treatment of the Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm

Third cranial nerve palsy may indicate the presence of an intracranial aneurysm, most commonly in the posterior communicating artery. The effect of endovascular management of posterior communicating artery aneurysms on recovery from third cranial nerve palsy is not well documented. We report two patients with third cranial nerve palsy caused by posterior communicating artery aneurysms. Endovascular treatment resulted in subsiding of ptosis within two weeks. Resolution of extraocular muscle function occurred within one to three months after treatment. Endovascular treatment, which has recently been introduced into neurosurgical practice, is effective in preventing aneurysmal rupture, and in eliminating manifestations due to mass effects.