Cranial Nerves, Recurrent Paresis Of

In the offspring of Jewish first cousins, Currie (1970) described 4 sibs (3 brothers and a sister) out of 5 who suffered recurrent episodes of Bell palsy and external ophthalmoplegia. All 4 had Bell palsy to a total of 7 episodes. Three had a total of 4 episodes of ocular palsy. One brother had proved diabetes and one had latent diabetes. One had polycythemia. The episodes were characteristic of those in diabetics. The lack of iridoplegia with the third nerve palsy distinguishes the ocular palsy from that of berry aneurysm. This is probably just a chance familial aggregation of cranial neuropathy in diabetes.