Imaging of Ocular Motor Pathway

Eye movement is controlled by ocular motor pathways that encompass supranuclear, nuclear, and infranuclear levels. Lesions affecting certain locations may produce localizing signs that help radiologists focus on specific anatomic regions. Some pathologic conditions, such as aneurysms and meningiomas, have unique imaging characteristics that may preclude unnecessary tissue biopsies. Some conditions are life threatening and require urgent or emergent imaging. MR imaging is the imaging of choice in evaluation of ocular motor palsy, with magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography indicated in cases of suspected aneurysms or neurovascular conflicts.