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We report two cases of unilateral, isolated lower cranial nerves (IX, X, XI and XII) palsy: both were due to a lesion of the internal carotid artery in the para-pharyngeal space (a dissection and a pseudoaneurysm). The diagnosis was based upon magnetic resonance imaging and selective angiography. The normality of the external carotid artery on angiography led to the hypothesis of a direct compression of the lower cranial nerves in the para-pharyngeal space, rather than an ischemia of these nerves.

A case of Joseph's disease characterized by spasticity in all 4 limbs, dystonia and disorders of ocular motility was considerably improved by cotrimoxazole, which confirms a recently published case. Further studies are required to establish this therapeutic effectiveness.