Pediatric third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsies: a population-based study

Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes in patients with superior oblique muscle palsy: a retrospective study on 1057 patients

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the clinical findings of patients with SOP who underwent surgery.

METHODS

This historical cohort study was performed on 1057 SOP patients managed with surgery in Farabi Hospital, Iran, from 2011 to 2022.

RESULTS

There were 990 (93.7%) patients with unilateral SOP with the mean age of 21.8 ± 14.8 years. Of these, 715 patients (72.2%) were diagnosed with congenital SOP, and 275 patients (27.8%) had acquired SOP (P < 0.001). In contrast, 67 (6.3%) patients were diagnosed with bilateral SOP, with the mean age of 19.4 ± 15.6 years. Among these, 18 cases exhibited the masked type. The mean angle of vertical deviation in primary position at far in unilateral and bilateral cases was 15.6 ± 8.3 and 13.3 ± 9.1 △, respectively (P < 0.001). In unilateral cases, abnormal head posture (AHP) was detected in 847 (85.5%) patients and 12 (1.2%) had paradoxical AHP. Amblyopia was found in 89 (9.9%) unilateral and 7 (10.3%) bilateral cases. Solitary inferior oblique myectomy, was the most common surgery in both unilateral (n = 756, 77.1%) and bilateral (n = 35, 52.2%) patients. The second surgery was performed for 84 (8.6%) unilateral and 33 (49.3%) bilateral cases (P < 0.001). The prevalence of amblyopia and the mean angle of horizontal deviation were significantly higher in patients who needed more than one surgery (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Congenital SOP was more than twice as frequent as acquired SOP and about 90% of unilateral and 50% of bilateral cases were managed with one surgery. Amblyopia and significant horizontal deviation were the most important factors for reoperation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1400.012) and this study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and HIPAA.

Retrospective Analysis of Factors Related to the Long-Term Recovery of Third, Fourth, and Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy with Etiologies and Clinical Course in a Tertiary Hospital

Purpose

Although various studies have explored the causes and clinical aspects of cranial nerve palsies, there remains a significant gap in understanding the prognostic factors that influence outcomes. In this study, we sought to address this gap by investigating the incidence, etiologies, clinical courses, and factors associated with long-term recovery, with the aim of enhancing the knowledge base in this field and providing valuable insights for improved patient care.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study evaluated the data gathered from subjects who had third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsy at the ophthalmology outpatient clinic of Phramongkutklao Hospital between April 1, 2012, and April 30, 2022.

Results

Among the three nerves, abducens nerve palsy was the most prevalent finding by most commonly involved. Our study revealed that ischemic and compressive lesions were the most common etiology of oculomotor nerve palsy, comprising 24.6% each. In addition, the most common etiology of trochlear and abducens nerve palsy was trauma, at 31.6% and 27.1%, respectively. Compared with the other nerves, oculomotor nerve palsy was associated with a shorter duration onset of symptoms and recovery period. The best recovery outcomes among the various etiologies were inflammation, ischemic events, and trauma in oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerve palsy, respectively. Logistic regression revealed that an onset of <7 days and isolated nerve involvement were significantly associated with good long-term outcomes, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.89) and 2.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.21-5.39) adjusted for the type of cranial nerve palsy, aged at 50 years, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, onset at 7 days, and number of cranial nerves involved, respectively.

Conclusion

The onset of symptoms in less than 1 week and isolated nerve involvement were associated with better prognosis in subjects with third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsy.

Isolated Sixth Nerve Palsy and COVID-19: A Recurrent Case in a 7-Month-Old Child and Analysis of Reported Cases

BACKGROUND

With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (COVID-19), data on central and peripheral nervous system involvement, including those causing cranial nerve 6 (CN6) palsy, have been limited to case reports. To extract clinically relevant features of COVID-19-related CN6 palsy, we report on a recurrent pediatric case and analysis of reported cases associated with infection or immunization.

METHODS

A PubMed search revealed 18 cases of isolated CN6 palsy in addition to the index case (n = 19). Clinical characteristics, workup, and temporal associations between systemic symptoms onset or vaccination, symptoms onset, and resolution were compiled and analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of CN6 onset was 43 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 28-52). Sixteen cases (84.2%) were associated with COVID-19 illness and 3 (15.8%) were associated with COVID-19 vaccination. Four cases (23.5%) had positive neuroimaging findings. The median latency from first COVID-19 symptoms or vaccination to onset of CN6 palsy was 6 days (IQR: 2.3-16), and the median time from onset to resolution was 30 days (IQR: 14-60). Latency to onset of CN6 palsy was significantly and directly associated with time to resolution (R2 = 0.401, P = 0.010). Patients who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test had significantly longer days from symptoms to onset (6.0 vs 24.5, P = 0.030), and patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test had a significantly shorter time to resolution (17.50 vs 90, P = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated CN6 palsy from COVID-19 is rare, can occur in infants as young as 7 months, and can be recurrent. Longer latency from systemic symptoms onset portends greater recovery times, and this relationship may reflect multiple mechanisms by which COVID-19 (and/or an immune response thereto) causes cranial neuropathies with direct clinical relevance.

Split-Tendon Medial Transposition of Lateral Rectus for Pediatric Complete Oculomotor Palsy

BACKGROUND

Split-tendon medial transposition of lateral rectus (STMTLR) for complete oculomotor palsy can correct large angles of exotropia in adults, but outcomes are variable, and complications are frequent. Only a few pediatric cases have been reported, and further insight is needed to assess the child's alignment outcomes and ability for postsurgical gain of function. The aim of our study is to report the outcomes of this surgical procedure in pediatric cases of complete oculomotor palsy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of outcomes was conducted on 5 consecutive patients with complete oculomotor palsy treated with STMTLR by a single surgeon (V.S.S.) between 2015 and 2021 at tertiary referral centers. Primary outcome was postoperative horizontal alignment, and secondary outcome was demonstration of gain-of-function activity in the field of action of the paretic medial rectus muscle.

RESULTS

Five cases of pediatric complete oculomotor palsy underwent surgical treatment with STMTLR. Subjects averaged 5.3 years old (range 10 months-16 years). Two were female. Etiologies were heterogeneous, and all presented with unilateral (n = 2) or bilateral complete oculomotor palsy with exodeviations ranging from 45 to >120 prism diopters. Two subjects had bilateral disease secondary to military tuberculosis with CNS involvement. A third subject presented iatrogenically with complete bilateral third nerve palsies secondary to removal of a nongerminomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT) of the pineal gland. The 2 remaining subjects had monocular involvement in their right eye, 1 from compressive neuropathy after a cavernoma midbrain hemorrhage, and 1 from a congenital right oculomotor palsy. All patients were observed to have stable ocular alignment for a period of at least 6 months before surgery. Unilateral STMTLR was performed in all cases except the subject with NGGCT, in which bilateral STMTLR was performed. Measurement of alignment permanence out to 1-3 years postop resulted in an average correction of 40.83 prism diopters (range 37.5-45 prism diopters) per operated eye. Four of 5 subjects regained limited but active adduction eye movements, and the 2 unilateral cases demonstrated improved convergence. None of the subjects experienced significant complications.

CONCLUSIONS

STMTLR was a safe and effective approach for the surgical correction of complete pediatric oculomotor palsy in our case series. In addition, pediatric patients may benefit from STMTLR with immediate gain-of-function activity in the transposed lateral rectus muscle, which supports the hypothesis that children have a dynamic and adaptive neuroplasticity of visual target selection that predominates established agonist/antagonist neural signaling.

Ocular Motor Nerve Palsy After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Claims Database Study

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the common causes of ocular motor nerve (oculomotor nerve [CN3], trochlear nerve [CN4], and abducens nerve [CN6]) palsies, but there has been no large study of ocular motor nerve palsy caused by TBI. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of and differences in ocular motor nerve palsy after TBI, according to patient age and severity of TBI.

METHODS

This was a population-based retrospective cohort study that included patients who had ocular motor nerve palsy after TBI with ≥6 months of continuous enrollment using claims data from the IBM MarketScan Research Databases (2007-2016). We assessed sex, age at the first diagnosis of TBI, the severity of TBI, and the rates of strabismus procedures according to the age and severity of TBI. The rates of muscle transposition surgery and chemodenervation in CN3, CN4, and CN6 palsy were investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 2,606,600 patients with TBI met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 1,851 patients (0.071%) had ocular motor nerve palsy after TBI. The median age of the patients was 39 (Q1-Q3: 19-54) years, and 42.4% of the patients were female. The median continuous enrollment period after the first diagnosis of TBI was 22 (Q1-Q3: 12-38) months. Of the 1,350,843 children with TBI, 454 (0.026%) had ocular motor nerve palsy. Of the 1,255,757 adults with TBI, 1,397 (0.111%) had ocular motor nerve palsy. Among these 1,851 patients, CN4 palsy (697, 37.7%) occurred most frequently, and strabismus procedures were performed in 237 patients (12.8%). CN6 palsy developed most frequently in children. More children (16.5%) underwent strabismus surgeries than adults (11.6%) ( P = 0.006). The proportion of CN4 palsy (52.3%) was higher while the proportion of CN3 palsy (15.5%) was lower in patients with mild TBI than in patients with moderate-to-severe TBI ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CN4 palsy developed most frequently among patients of all ages, and only approximately 13% of the patients underwent strabismus procedures for ocular motor nerve palsy after TBI. The rate of development of ocular motor nerve palsy was approximately 4.3 times lower in children than adults, and children most frequently had CN6 palsy after TBI.

Diplopia: characteristics and etiologic distribution in a referral-based university hospital

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The etiologic distribution and clinical features of diplopia may differ according to the specialties involved in the management. This study aimed to establish the clinical features and underlying etiologies of diplopia by recruiting patients from all departments.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 4127 patients with diplopia as the chief complaint, who had been recruited from all departments at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea, from 2003 to 2020.

RESULTS

Diplopia was binocular in 3557 (94.2%) and monocular in 219 (5.8%) patients. The common causes of binocular diplopia included microvascular (n = 516, 14.5%), strokes (n = 412, 11.6%), neoplastic (n = 304, 8.5%), myasthenia gravis (n = 253, 7.1%), traumatic (n = 240, 6.7%), and decompensated phoria (n = 232, 6.5%), and comprised more than a half of the causes. Patients with binocular diplopia were usually managed by neurologists (2549/3557, 71.7%), followed by ophthalmologists (2247/3557, 63.2%), emergency physicians (1528/3557, 43.0%), neurosurgeons (361/3557, 10.1%), and others (271/3557, 7.6%). The etiologies of binocular diplopia differed markedly according to the patients' age and the specialties involved in the management (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the differences in the etiologic distribution of diplopia according to the patients' age and the specialties involved in the management, the results of previous reports on the characteristics and etiology of diplopia, primarily performed in a single specialty department, should be interpreted with a possible selection bias.

Aetiologies of acquired pediatric sixth nerve palsies in a U.K. based population

Due to the low incidence of sixth cranial nerve palsies in children, there has been limited evidence published on this subject, especially from a population based within the UK. The incidence of etiologies has been found to vary significantly within the literature, especially with regard to neoplasms. The main aim of this study is to present the etiologies of newly diagnosed pediatric sixth nerve palsies in a UK-based population. We also take into consideration if the palsies were isolated or associated with other neurological signs or symptoms. Retrospective data collection was carried out on the medical records of 50 pediatric patients with a new-onset sixth nerve palsy. They all presented to a large tertiary referral hospital in the South of the UK between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2017. Data collected for each patient included age, gender, ethnicity, unilateral versus bilateral, other signs and symptoms, etiology, where the patient first presented, and whether the palsy was the first presenting feature. Thirty-three (66%) patients had a new-onset sixth nerve palsy in conjunction with other neurological signs or symptoms and were considered non-isolated. Seventeen cases (34%) were found to be isolated. Etiologies included high intracranial pressure (18%), neoplasm (14%), surgery for neoplasm (14%), viral (14%), infection (12%), trauma (8%), idiopathic (6%), benign space-occupying lesion (4%), congenital (2%), inflammation (2%), Alexander's disease (2%), Kawasaki syndrome (2%), and diabetes (2%). Our study found non-isolated sixth nerve palsies to be the most common presentation. These patients had a high number of potentially sinister etiologies, the most common being high intracranial pressure followed by post-surgery for neoplasm and neoplasm. Isolated sixth nerve palsies were more commonly due to viral or idiopathic etiology; however, two cases of benign space-occupying lesion and one of neoplasm were identified.

Idiopathic unilateral third nerve palsy with pupillary sparring in 10-year-old child -a case report

Introduction and importance

Aneurysm, diabetes mellitus, central nervous system (CNS) infections, pituitary tumors, and ischemia alterations are all potential causes of unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy, a common clinical disease.

Case presentation

A 10-year-old child presented with right eyelid ptosis and restricted eye movements associated with diplopia and pain in the right eye. Brain imaging and laboratory tests revealed no obstruction, infection, or hypercoagulable state. The condition was labeled as idiopathic. A patient was diagnosed with ptosis through a sling procedure and after 2 and 4 weeks of follow-up was told he had mild anemia. The patient was prescribed ferrous sulfate 8mg once daily for 4 months and his condition improved.

Clinical discussion

Surgery can correct the appearance of crossed eyes, but it seldom restores or significantly improves binocular function. Amblyopia and the loss of binocular vision can occur in children with third nerve palsy due to the excessive angle of incitant strabismus and the resulting ptosis.

Conclusion

Patients with idiopathic third nerve palsy must be informed of their prognosis so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not to undergo surgery. Clinical examination is the only way to identify a child's condition and proper investigations and a full history of prenatal and antenatal courses are required.

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Clinical examination is the only way to identify a child with idiopathic third nerve palsy.

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Proper investigations and a full history of prenatal and antenatal courses are required to exclude congenital and acquired reasons.

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Patients must be informed of their prognosis so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not to go through with the procedure.

COVID-19 and abducens nerve palsy in a 9-year-old girl-case report

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Although many reports have detailed a range of neurological symptoms in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, studies of neuro-ophthalmological manifestations are still scarce.

Case presentation

We report a 9-year-old girl with abducens nerve palsy after COVID-19 with no evidence of other neurological disease on neuroimaging. At 2-month follow-up clinical conditions were improved.

Conclusions

The palsy may have occurred due to a possible post-infectious immune-mediated mechanism underlying the neuropathy, as opposed to direct viral infiltration. Despite being rare, this complication must be taken into account.

Diagnostic controversies in recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy: single case report with a systematic review

Background

Ophthalmoplegic migraine, renamed "Recurrent Painful Ophthalmoplegic Neuropathy" (RPON) in 2013 by the International Headache Society is a rare neurologic disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of ophthalmoplegia associated to ipsilateral headache. The etiology is still unknown. Typical magnetic resonance imaging findings show a focal nerve thickening and contrast enhancement. In the majority of cases, there is a full recovery within days or weeks. There is no evidence supporting a specific treatment. The review defines the characteristics of the recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy in patients within 2 years of age underlying the importance of the role of magnetic resonance imaging even in presence of the first attack. Thus, an emblematic case report is presented.

Case presentation

The authors present a case of third cranial nerve paresis in a 17-month-old male child, presenting a neuroradiological pattern highly suggestive of schwannoma, aneurism or recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy. Thus, a review of the literature with the pediatric casuistry of recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy occurred within 2 years of age focusing on diagnostic considerations is presented. The authors highlight the importance to consider recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy in presence of magnetic resonance imaging findings and clinical symptoms referable to aneurysm or schwannoma. Thus, the review defines the characteristics and the neuroradiological findings at the first RPON attack occurred under 2 years of age.

Conclusion

Although two attacks are necessary, the review strongly suggests to consider recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy even at the first attack, in presence of described characteristics and the aforementioned magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Recurrent Isolated Sixth Nerve Palsy in Childhood-Review on a Rare Phenomenon

Sixth nerve palsy is an ominous sign in pediatric neurology. Due to the long and tortuous course of the sixth (abducens) nerve, it is generally considered a sign of intracranial pathology. Sixth nerve palsy is associated with increased intracranial pressure and neoplasms, among other less frequent causes. In ∼5 to 15% of cases, no cause can be identified. These cases are classified as idiopathic or "benign" and recovery is typically complete. A recurrence of symptoms is very rare. We provide a rare case report of recurrent benign sixth nerve palsy in a 5-year-old child. In addition, we provide an overview of all earlier published cases of recurrent isolated sixth nerve palsy. To date, only 72 pediatric patients with recurrent isolated sixth nerve palsy have been reported. Young females with left-sided sixth nerve palsy and recent immunization are at risk of recurrence. Pathophysiological mechanisms have been discussed, but have yet to be clarified. Recurrent isolated sixth nerve palsy is only rarely associated with severe causes and the need for extensive investigation may be questioned.

Etiology and Outcomes of Acquired Pediatric Sixth Nerve Palsies

BACKGROUND

Acquired sixth nerve (CN6) palsies in children may be benign or associated with an underlying neurologic condition. In children who presented with isolated (no associated neurologic or ophthalmic symptoms or signs) CN6 palsies, the rate of newly diagnosed neurologic disorders (such as tumors) is unclear. Moreover, the factors associated with spontaneous resolution and amblyopia in children with acquired CN6 palsies are unknown.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all children younger than 18 years diagnosed with CN6 palsy at our institution from 2010 to 2020. We recorded ophthalmologic and neurologic history and examination findings, neuroimaging results, etiology of CN6 palsy, and outcomes including spontaneous resolution and amblyopia. We assessed etiologies of isolated and nonisolated CN6 palsies as well as frequency and factors associated with spontaneous resolution and amblyopia (in children ≤7 years).

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-two children met inclusion criteria. Twenty CN6 palsies (12%) were isolated at presentation. Most isolated cases were presumed postviral or postvaccination (50%) or idiopathic (30%), but 2 cases (10%) were associated with newly diagnosed tumors. Spontaneous resolution occurred in 59% of CN6 palsies at a median of 12.3 weeks and was associated with older age (P = 0.03) and nontumor etiology (P = 0.006). Amblyopia developed in 18% of children at risk, exclusively in those with anisometropia, pre-existing strabismus, or younger than 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings and chart reviews suggest that approximately 10% of isolated acquired pediatric CN6 palsies are associated with a newly diagnosed brain tumor. This risk must be discussed with parents when considering immediate vs delayed neuroimaging. In addition, infants and children ≤7 years with secondary amblyogenic risk factors (anisometropia or pre-existing strabismus) require close follow-up to monitor and treat amblyopia.

Clinical profile and management of sixth nerve palsy in pediatric patients (0-15 years) in Southern India - A hospital-based study

PURPOSE

This study was done to evaluate the clinical profile in pediatric patients (0-16 years) presenting with acute onset esotropia due to sixth nerve palsy and its management options in a tertiary care set up of Southern India.

METHODS

A total of 12 patients presenting to our OPD with acute onset esotropia due to sixth nerve palsies were included in this retrospective study. All patients were observed for 6 months and managed with prism and/or patching while waiting for spontaneous resolution and later managed surgically. Neuroimaging was done in all cases.

RESULTS

The mean deviation of esotropia at presentation was 30.17 ± 5.7 Prism Diopter (range 12-50 Prism Diopter 95% CI, SD 10.11). Mean age of the patients during presentation was 8.6 ± 2.4 years (range: 1-15 years, SD 4.27). Among the common causes of sixth nerve palsy in our study population were trauma and idiopathic intracranial hypertension followed by tumor and miscellaneous causes. Only three patients underwent surgical correction of residual deviation after a waiting period of 6 months for self-resolution. Spontaneous resolution was observed in 41.6% patients, and surgical correction (unilateral resection-recession) was done in 25% of the patients with good surgical outcome.

CONCLUSION

At 1-year follow up, the motor outcome was satisfactory except for one patient who had diffuse pontine glioma and had worsening neurological symptoms on follow-up.

Bilaterally recurrent benign abducens nerve palsy in a child

Benign abducens nerve palsy with recurrent episodes in children is rare. In most cases, there are two episodes, the same eye is affected, and recovery is spontaneous. We present a patient with multiple episodes in both eyes, including bilateral simultaneous involvement, who was treated with botulinum toxin.

Acute abducens nerve palsy after COVID-19 vaccination in a young adult

We present the case of a 23-year-old young man with left-eye abducens nerve palsy following the COVID-19 vaccination. Given the temporal relationship between vaccination and the onset of symptoms, the lack of systemic history, and unremarkable magnetic resonance imaging, the patient’s abducens nerve palsy was related to his vaccination. The ophthalmologist should be aware of this neurotropic sequela of COVID-19 vaccination in young adults.

Paralytic Strabismus in Turkish Children Examined at Three Tertiary Care Services: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE

To assess the etiology and distribution of pediatric ocular motor nerve palsy manifesting as paralytic strabismus.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively examined the medical files of patients younger than 18 years who were suspected to have strabismus between January 1999 and June 2012 in three Turkish clinics and followed up for at least 6 months. Patients with paralytic strabismus were stratified according to age, sex, affected cranial nerve, and etiology (congenital, traumatic, neoplastic, post-viral, vascular, undetermined, or other), and compared the proportions between groups.

RESULTS

Paralytic strabismus was observed in 33 of 1,263 patients (2.6%), with a mean age of 5.9 ± 4.4 years (range: 6 months to 16 years). Seventeen patients (51.5%) were boys and 16 (48.5%) were girls. Twelve patients (36.4%) had congenital paralytic strabismus, and 21 patients (63.6%) had acquired strabismus. The most prevalent cause of acquired paralytic strabismus was trauma in 11 patients (52.4%), undetermined in 6 patients (28.6%), post-viral cranial nerve paralysis in 3 patients (14.3%), and a history of hydrocephalus in 1 patient (9.1%). The fourth cranial nerve was the most frequently affected (45.5% [15 of 33]), followed by the sixth (39.4% [13 of 33]) and the third (15.2% [5 of 33]).

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating the incidence and etiology of paralytic strabismus in children in a clinical setting may improve disease management and reduce unnecessary invasive examinations. This study will assist clinicians in understanding the clinic-based distribution of pediatric paralytic strabismus. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(5):282-286.].

Isolated sixth nerve palsy as an initial presentation of primary angiitis of the central nervous system

BACKGROUND

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a newly-emerging disease, and it is known that early diagnosis with treatment is important for the improvement of prognosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Here, we report the case of a previously healthy 13-year-old girl who presented with right eye abduction failure, attributed to isolated right sixth nerve palsy, as the initial symptom of PACNS. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed stenosis in the distal portion of the right internal carotid artery, and delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation (DANTE)-prepared contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging confirmed vasculitis at the same site. The patient was subsequently treated with three courses of pulse corticosteroid therapy (methylprednisolone intravenously 30 mg/kg/day for three consecutive days). Diplopia completely resolved within 3 months after three course of steroid pulse therapy, and when taking 10 mg PSL daily. Follow-up MRA confirmed complete resolution of the arterial narrowing, and no relapse was observed after 2 months of steroid cessation.

DISCUSSION

This case report illustrates an unusual presentation of PACNS with isolated sixth nerve palsy. PACNS was thought to cause insults on a single cranial nerve either through local spread of inflammation or hypoxic-ischemic insults on the nerve root due to involvement of feeding microvessels. The decision to perform imaging studies in cases of isolated sixth nerve palsy remains controversial because of the possibility of spontaneous recovery. Our case supports the existing literature that recommends that even an isolated symptom of unilateral abducens nerve palsy requires timely imaging studies.

Geographic Variation in Strabismus Pattern Among Pediatric Age Group in Lebanon: A Single-Centre Five-Year Observational Study

Background: Strabismus means ocular misalignment. It is also one of the most prevalent types of amblyopia and the leading cause of pediatric visual impairment.

Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency of different types of strabismus and the associated refractive errors and amblyopia in patients younger than 16 years of age. This study also aims to compare the age at presentation and gender between the geographic locations and between different strabismus types.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was done using the archives of Beirut Eye and ENT specialist hospital between January 2014 and December 2018. Lebanese pediatric patients aged <16 years having strabismus were included in this study.

Results: There was a total of 787 pediatric patients with strabismus, 62.6% of cases had esotropia (ET) and 30.2% exotropia (XT), with ET/XT: 2.07/1. Mt Lebanon had the highest number of cases, whereas Nabatieh was the only governorate with reversed ET/XT ratio. Most patients were diagnosed at the age of 1-5 years, with ET being the most common diagnosis, while XT was mostly found in patients aged 11-15. Hyperopia was the most common (55.4%) refractive error detected in our cohort of strabismus patients, followed by myopia and simple astigmatism. Amblyopia was found in 18.9% of cases, where Nabatieh had the highest count.

Conclusion: Strabismus pattern was investigated for the first time across Lebanon to shed the light on the crucial role of early ophthalmologic examination, to detect early refractive error and strabismus, and to prevent amblyopia.

Ten-year review of neuroimaging in acute paediatric strabismus

BACKGROUND

Acute childhood strabismus is often a clinical conundrum faced by ophthalmologists. Currently, there are no clear clinical guidelines on how to investigate a child presenting with acute strabismus. Furthermore, there is no consensus as to whether to initially perform neuroimaging of a child to rule out the small but serious risk of intracranial pathology, or to pursue a careful observational approach. This paper aims to outline a standardised approach to investigating acute strabismus in paediatric patients.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all paediatric patients that presented over a 10-year period to the ophthalmology departments at two tertiary level hospitals in New Zealand was conducted. Patients under 18 years of age with an acute presentation of strabismus, who underwent neuroimaging, were included.

RESULTS

A total of 500 patient records were reviewed. Seventy patients met the study inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 17 (24.3%) had non-isolated strabismus while 53 patients (75.7%) had isolated strabismus. Twelve patients (70.6%) who presented with a non-isolated strabismus had abnormal neuroimaging. Of those who presented with an isolated strabismus, 4 (7.5%) had abnormal neuroimaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute onset non-isolated strabismus is a significant predictor of underlying neurological abnormality in children and requires urgent neuroimaging. However, a cautious approach in which there is close observation, along with general paediatric and/or paediatric neurology input, may be appropriate for children presenting acutely with an isolated strabismus.

Pediatric ocular motor cranial nerve palsy: Demographics and etiological profile

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric ocular motor cranial nerve palsy.

Methods:

This was a retrospective record-based study, carried out at a tertiary eye care hospital in India, between January 2011 and January 2015 and included patients up to 16 years of age at the time of presentation, diagnosed with third, fourth, sixth nerve palsy or a combination of these with other cranial nerve palsy. Data analyzed included demographic details, etiologies, presence or absence of amblyopia, relevant investigations, and management.

Results:

A total of 90 cases were included in the study. Eighty patients (88.88%) presented with isolated nerve palsy. Forty-three patients (47.77%) had congenital nerve palsy. The most common nerve involved was third (n = 35, 38.88%) followed by sixth (n = 23, 25.55%) and fourth nerve (n = 22, 24.44%). Most common cause of third and fourth cranial nerve palsy was congenital (n = 18, 51.42% and n = 17, 77.30%, respectively), while it was trauma for the sixth nerve (n = 7, 30.40%). Amblyopia was most frequently associated with third cranial nerve palsy (n = 27, 77.14%). The radio-imaging yield was maximum (n = 7, 70%) for combined cranial nerve palsy. Overall 44 (48.88%) patients were managed conservatively, while 46 (51.11%) patients needed squint with or without ptosis surgery.

Conclusion:

The most common ocular motor cranial nerve involved in the pediatric population was the third cranial nerve, and it was found to be the most amblyogenic in this age group. The neuroimaging yield was maximum for combined cranial nerve palsy. The most common conservatively managed nerve palsy in this study group was the fourth nerve palsy.

Acute strabismus in neurological emergencies of childhood: A retrospective, single-centre study

OBJECTIVES

Acute strabismus (AS) is the most common ocular motility disorder in children. In the emergency setting evaluation, the primary concern is to exclude a potentially dangerous underlying condition, requiring immediate intervention. Our first aim was to describe the epidemiology, clinical features, and underlying causes of AS in a cohort of children presenting to the emergency department (ED). Our second aim was to identify clinical features associated with a significant risk of underlying neurological emergencies (NEs).

DESIGN AND SETTING

Clinical records of all patients under 18 years presenting for AS to the ED of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital over a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed. A logistic regression model was applied to detect predictive variables associated with a higher risk of NEs.

RESULTS

208 patients (M:F = 1.19) were identified (0.35 cases per 1000 admission). Commonly associated symptoms included diplopia (18.3%), headache (23.1%), nausea or vomit (8.6%). Other ocular or neurological abnormalities were associated in 47.6% of patients. NEs accounted for 24.03% of all cases, mostly represented by brain tumours (8.65%). Ptosis, optic disk blurring, vomit, gait abnormalities and consciousness disorders were found to confer a significantly greater risk of an underlying NE.

CONCLUSIONS

Potentially severe neurological conditions may affect almost one in four children presenting to the ED for AS. Brain malignancies are the most common dangerous cause. Presence of ptosis, papilledema, vomit, gait disorders, consciousness impairment, pupillary defects and multiple cranial nerves involvement should be considered as red flags.

Can Imaging of Temporal Raphe Orientation with fundusphotos or SD-OCT be helpful for the Assessment of Ocular Torsion in Patients with Cranial Nerve Four Paresis?

Strabismic deviations can be horizontal, vertical, cyclorotational, or a combination of all three. Previous literature has established the difference between subjective and traditional objective torsional angles; however, often there is a failure to consider the physiological position of a normal fovea-optic nerve head (ONH) relationship. Using the temporal raphe (TR) orientation has been suggested as a solution for this discrepancy. The current study, approved by IWK Health Center research ethics board was created to assess the viability of using the TR in assessment of ocular torsion as well as investigate the effect of the physiological position of the fundus. Subjective tests were compared to traditional fundus photographs and novel TR scans in patients with long-standing unilateral fourth nerve palsies. Results found no differences between subjective and objective angles when considering the physiological fundus position and that TR angles were not comparable to other torsional testing methods. Therefore, it was concluded that the physiological position should be considered when determining the true amount of abnormal fundus torsion. As well, we found no significant value to using TR imaging by optical coherence tomography compared to the traditional fovea-ONH relationship by fundus photography to assess ocular torsion.

The incidence and presumed aetiologies of fourth cranial nerve palsy in Korea: a 10-year nationwide cohort study

AIMS

To investigate the incidence and presumed aetiologies of fourth cranial nerve (CN4) palsy in Korea METHODS: Using the nationally representative dataset of the Korea National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort from 2006 to 2015, newly developed CN4 palsy cases confirmed by a preceding disease-free period of ≥4 years were identified. The presumed aetiology of CN4 palsy was evaluated based on comorbidities around the CN4 palsy diagnosis.

RESULTS

Among the 1,108,292 cohort subjects, CN4 palsy newly developed in 390 patients during 10-year follow-up, and the overall incidence of CN4 palsy was 3.74 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 3.38-4.12). The incidence of CN4 palsy showed a male preponderance in nearly all age groups, and the overall male-to-female ratio was 2.30. A bimodality by age-group was observed, with two peaks at 0-4 years and at 75-79 years. The most common presumed aetiologies were vascular (51.3%), congenital (20.0%), and idiopathic (18.5%). The incidence rate of a first peak for 0-4 years of age was 6.17 per 100,000 person-years, and cases in this group were congenital. The second peak incidence rate for 75-79 years of age was 11.81 per 100,000 person-years, and the main cause was vascular disease. Strabismus surgery was performed in 48 (12.3%) patients, most of whom (72.9%) were younger than 20 years.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of CN4 palsy has a male predominance in Koreans and shows bimodal peaks by age. The aetiology of CN4 palsy varies according to age-groups.

Isolated Oculomotor Nerve Palsy: A Unique Presentation of Haemophilus influenzae Type A Meningitis

In this case report, we describe a unique case of Haemophilus influenzae type A meningitis in a 7-month-old previously healthy girl that presented with an isolated cranial nerve (oculomotor) palsy without other signs and symptoms classically associated with this entity such as fever, meningismus, or a generally ill appearance. Oculomotor nerve abnormalities are rare in pediatrics. Congenital oculomotor palsy is the most common cause followed by trauma, infection, inflammatory conditions, neoplasm, aneurysm or other vascular events, and ophthalmoplegic migraines, respectively. Therefore, had it not been for the unusual magnetic resonance imaging findings identified in this patient prompting an extensive infectious workup with lumbar puncture, the diagnosis and treatment of meningitis may have been delayed further or missed all together. This fact emphasizes the importance of maintaining a broad differential when children present with neurologic abnormalities such as cranial nerve palsies.

Acquired Ocular Motor Palsy: Current Demographic and Etiological Profile

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical, demographic, and etiological profile of patients of acquired ocular motor palsy presenting in a tertiary eye care center.

DESIGN

A retrospective hospital record-based study was conducted in patients of paralytic strabismus presenting from April 2016 to December 2017.

METHODS

Data included demographic and clinical details, diagnosis, underlying etiology, imaging, laboratory reports, and the outcome.

RESULTS

Mean age of presentation of 345 patients included in the study was 38.2 ± 19.5 years (range = 365 years). Pediatric patients (age: ≤16 years) constituted 9.5% of the entire cohort. Mean duration of complaints was 5.87 ± 2 months. Of the 372 eyes of 345 cases, 42.7% were sixth nerve palsy, 34.7% were third nerve palsy, 17.7% were fourth nerve palsy, and 4.8% had multiple ocular motor nerve involvement. Third and sixth nerve palsies were mostly due to ischemic event (58.1% and 69.8% cases, respectively), whereas fourth nerve palsies were commonly caused by trauma (63.6%). Amongst traumatic cases, road traffic accident was the most common mode of trauma. Systemic risk factors were preexistent in 18.2% cases (n = 63); in the remaining (40.8%; n = 141), they were diagnosed after presentation. Complete or partial recovery was noted in 69.7% cases in third nerve palsy, 67.9% cases in sixth nerve palsy, and 45% cases in fourth nerve palsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Acquired cranial nerve palsy has younger onset in Indian scenario. Ischemia is the most common etiology raising concerns about the health issues of young Indians. Sixth nerve is most commonly involved in all age groups. Low recovery rate in fourth nerve palsy can be attributed to traumatic etiology.

Don't Miss This! Red Flags in the Pediatric Eye Examination: Ophthalmoplegia in Childhood

Paralytic strabismus in children is rare, occurring in about 0.1% of children. This rate is far less common than the 3% rate usually noted for comitant strabismus. The relative rates of ocular motor pareses were fourth nerve palsies in 36%, sixth in 33%, third in 22%, with multiple ocular motor nerve palsies in 9%. In a single population series from Minnesota, few cases were associated with neoplasm. However, institutional case series reports a high rate of neoplasm for acquired third nerve and sixth nerve palsies after excluding trauma and congenital causes. Tumor is rare in children with fourth cranial nerve palsies, usually associated with other neurologic disease. Rare causes of external ophthalmoplegia, to be considered when the motility pattern is variable or not fitting an ocular motor nerve pattern, include myasthenia gravis and congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles. Myasthenia most often presents as ptosis with exotropia. Rarer still is involvement of the extraocular muscles in childhood thyroid disease.

Diplopia-Related Ambulatory and Emergency Department Visits in the United States, 2003-2012

Importance

Diplopia is believed to be a common eye-related symptom. However, to date, there are no available population-based estimates, which are necessary to understand the impact of this disabling symptom on the health care system and to identify steps to optimize patient care.

Objective

To describe diplopia presentations in US ambulatory and emergency department (ED) settings.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Ambulatory and ED visits in the United States by patients with diplopia were analyzed in this prespecified secondary analysis of National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data collected for a 10-year period (2003-2012). Data were analyzed for the present study from October 6, 2016 to August 18, 2017.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Numbers of ambulatory and ED diplopia presentations were estimated using weighted sample data. Weighted proportions of patient and clinician (ie, ophthalmologists, general practitioners, and specialty physicians) characteristics, diagnoses, and imaging use were calculated.

Results

In total, 804 647 (95% CI, 662 075-947 218) ambulatory and 49 790 (95% CI, 38 318-61 262) diplopia-related ED visits occurred annually; 12.3% of ambulatory visits were primarily for acute- or subacute-onset diplopia. Mean (SD) patient age was 62.1 (20.3) years for ambulatory vs 48.1 (22.3) years for diplopia-related ED visits. Most visits primarily for diplopia were by patients 50 years or older (ambulatory, 79.1% [95% CI, 72.9%-84.2%]; ED, 51.8% [95% CI, 41.0%-62.4%]) who were white (ambulatory, 81.7% [95% CI, 74.8%-87.0%]; ED, 86.1% [95% CI, 77.8%-91.6%]) women (ambulatory, 51.1% [95% CI, 44.1-58.1]; ED, 52.8% [95% CI, 41.6%-63.7%]). Most diplopia-related ambulatory visits were conducted by ophthalmologists (70.4% [95% CI, 62.2%-77.5%]) even when symptoms were acute or subacute (89.0% [95% CI, 81.0%-93.9%]). The most common diagnosis in both settings was diplopia (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 368.2). None of the 10 most frequent diagnoses was life threatening in the ambulatory setting, but approximately 16% of diplopia-related ED visits resulted in a stroke or transient ischemic attack diagnosis. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was ordered in 6.2% (95% CI, 2.8%-12.9%) of ambulatory and 59.7% (95% CI, 38.6%-77.7%) of ED visits, primarily for diplopia.

Conclusions and Relevance

Approximately 850 000 diplopia visits occur in the United States annually; 95% were outpatient visits, and diagnoses were rarely serious in the ambulatory setting but potentially life threatening in 16% of diplopia-related ED visits. Given the low probability of a serious neurologic diagnosis in the ambulatory setting and higher probability in an ED, future cohort studies are needed to define the association of various diagnostic practice patterns, such as imaging, with patient outcomes.

Acquired onset of third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies in children and adolescents

PURPOSE

To describe the causes of third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies in children and adolescents.

METHODS

In this retrospective case series, a total of 66 patients aged 0-19 years with third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies seen in strabismus and neuro-ophthalmic practice from 2010 to 2017 were included. Causes of palsies were determined based on clinical assessment, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laboratory work-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients had sixth cranial nerve palsy, 14 patients had third cranial nerve palsy (7 partial, 7 complete), 13 patients had fourth cranial nerve palsy, and 4 patients had combined cranial nerve palsies in this study. Neoplasia involving central nervous system was one of the most common causes of third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies both in children (age: 0-14 years) and adolescents (age: 15-19 years) (20% and 31%, respectively). Overall, neoplasia (23%) was the most common cause of acute third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies, followed by idiopathic cause (14%), inflammation (11%), and non-aneurysmal vascular contact (11%). Neoplasia was also the most common cause of sixth and third cranial nerve palsies (25% and 29%, respectively). The most common cause of fourth cranial nerve palsy was late decompensation in congenital fourth cranial nerve palsy (46%).

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of pediatric and juvenile patients had serious pathologies for third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies. If nerve palsies are indicated, prompt diagnosis of etiologies using high-resolution MRI with contrast and laboratory work-up are important for this disease population.

Idiopathic Isolated Acquired Steroid Dependent SO Palsy: A Rare Case Report

15-year-old boy presented with sudden onset, stable, nonprogressive painless diplopia (greatest in right gaze and inferior field of view) and hyperdeviation of left eye for a year. On ophthalmic examination, the patient had uncrossed diplopia with tilt and separation maximum in dextrodepression. On Park's three step test, left eye hypertropia increased on right gaze and left tilt suggestive of left superior oblique (SO) palsy. On prism bar cover test (PBCT), deviation was more than 25 PD base-down over the left eye for both distance and near in all gazes. MRI head and orbit revealed a normal study while the myasthenia and inflammatory work-up was unremarkable. A provisional diagnosis of "Idiopathic Acquired Left Superior Oblique Palsy" was made and the patient was given trial of oral steroids at 1 mg/kg body weight. At 6 weeks, patient's diplopia resolved and PBCT neutralised at 6PD. Oral steroids were gradually tapered off by 10 mg per week with weekly follow-up. Upon decreasing the dose of prednisolone to 5 mg, intermittent diplopia and 18 PD left hypertropia reappeared. When patient was again restarted on oral steroids at 1 mg/kg body weight, diplopia-hypertropia disappeared at 10 mg OD prednisolone only to reappear at 5 mg OD dosage, leading to the final diagnosis of a "Steroid Dependent Isolated Superior Oblique Palsy". Presently, the patient is maintained on a daily dose of 10 mg oral prednisolone.

Pediatric traumatic brain injury and ocular injury

PURPOSE

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of pediatric disability and mortality. Together with sight-threatening ocular injuries, TBIs may lead to devastating consequences in developing children and complicate rehabilitation. We sought to investigate this relationship in pediatric patients admitted with major trauma.

METHODS

The records of pediatric patients admitted with ocular injury and concomitant TBI were reviewed retrospectively using the National Trauma Data Bank (2008-2014).

RESULTS

Of 58,765 pediatric patients admitted for trauma and also had ocular injuries, 32,173 were diagnosed with TBI. Mean patient age was 12.3 ± 7 years. Most were male (69.8%) and White (61.2%). The most frequent injuries were contusion of the eye/adnexa (39.1%) and orbital fractures (35.8%). The youngest age groups had greatest odds of falls in home locations, whereas older groups were more likely to suffer motor vehicle trauma as occupants (MVTO), struck by or against (SBA) injuries, and firearms injuries in street locations (P < 0.001). Blacks and Hispanics were most likely to suffer assault (P < 0.001) and Whites, unintentional (P < 0.001) and self-inflicted (P < 0.012) injury. Blacks were at a higher risk of firearms injury, Whites of MVTO, and Hispanics of motor vehicles as pedestrians (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TBI frequently is experienced by trauma patients with concomitant ocular injury and should be considered in children admitted with major trauma. Resultant demographic patterns may help identify patients that have a higher risk of TBI leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Isolated Ocular Motor Nerve Palsies

Isolated cranial nerve (CN) palsies are frequently encountered by strabismologists. Management decisions for patients with isolated ocular motor nerve palsies must take into account multiple factors, including patient age, historical features, the specific CN affected, examination findings, and coexistent medical diagnoses. In general, isolated ocular motor nerve palsies in children are assessed and managed differently than adults. Furthermore, older adults with vascular risk factors may be managed differently than younger adults and children. The need for urgent neuroimaging in older adults with microvascular risk factors is under debate and requires the physician to weigh the risks and benefits of close observation with immediate testing. The presence of multiple cranial neuropathies should also raise the level of concern and indicate the need for a more urgent work-up. The following manuscript aims to provide information on common etiologies of isolated ocular motor nerve palsies and to suggest algorithms for the management of these CN palsies in children and adult.

When is Isolated Inferior Oblique Muscle Surgery an Appropriate Treatment for Superior Oblique Palsy?

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of isolated inferior oblique muscle weakening in the treatment of superior oblique palsy.

Methods

Forty-seven patients with superior oblique palsy underwent either single-muscle surgery (anteriorization or recession of the inferior oblique muscle) or two-muscle surgery (anteriorization of the inferior oblique muscle combined with recession of the contralateral inferior rectus muscle according to the amount of vertical deviation). In a retrospective non-comparative study the objective surgical effect was calculated as the difference between the deviation at the day before surgery and the deviations 6 weeks and at least 1 year after surgery. Pre- and postoperative sensorimotor status and subjective outcome were evaluated.

Results

In patients who underwent isolated inferior oblique muscle surgery the mean preoperative vertical deviation decreased from 15±9 (distance)/16±10 (near) prism diopters (PD) (anteriorization) and 7±5 (distance)/9±8 (near) PD (recession) to 4±4 (distance)/4±6 (near) PD (anteriorization) and 2±2 (distance)/2±3 (near) PD (recession) at the 1-year follow-up. In patients who underwent two-muscle surgery the mean vertical deviation decreased from 20±11 (distance)/21±10 (near) PD preoperatively and 6±7 (distance)/6±6 (near) PD at 1-year follow-up. Subjective assessment showed excellent scores among the patients treated with single-muscle surgery and slightly lower but also favorable scores among the patients treated with combined techniques. A direct comparison of the different outcome scores was not possible because of the more difficult initial situation in patients who underwent combined surgery.

Conclusions

Isolated inferior oblique muscle weakening is an effective treatment option for superior oblique palsy up to 15 PD of vertical deviation in primary position. Two-muscle surgery should be reserved for patients with larger vertical deviations.

Incidence and Etiology of Presumed Fourth Cranial Nerve Palsy: A Population-based Study

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of isolated, presumed fourth nerve palsy in a defined population, and to report the frequency of each cause.

DESIGN

Retrospective, population-based case series.

METHODS

A population-based database was used to identify all cases of isolated fourth nerve palsy in Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA diagnosed over a 15-year period (January 1, 1978 to December 31, 1992). The most likely etiology was determined by review of the entire medical record by 2 ophthalmologists. A priori definitions were applied for assigning cause. The incidence of fourth nerve palsy and the frequency of each etiology were calculated. Decade of life at presentation was recorded.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients (74 episodes, 70 [95%] unilateral) were identified. Mean age at presentation was 41.8 (range 3.3-81.6) years. The age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence rate was 5.73 per 100 000 per year (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.31-7.14). The most common etiology was presumed congenital (49%), followed by hypertension (18%) and trauma (18%). One patient (1%) had fourth nerve palsy owing to a known intracranial neoplasm. For 3 patients (4%) the cause of fourth nerve palsy was undetermined. The most common decade of presentation overall was the fourth decade, including for presumed congenital cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study, the majority of isolated fourth nerve palsies were presumed congenital, even though they presented throughout adulthood. Other etiologies such as hypertension and trauma were less frequent, and in no case was an isolated fourth nerve palsy the presenting sign of an intracranial tumor.

Incidence and Etiologies of Acquired Third Nerve Palsy Using a Population-Based Method

Importance

Among cranial nerve palsies, a third nerve palsy is important because a subset is caused by life-threatening aneurysms. However, there is significant disagreement regarding its incidence and the reported etiologies.

Objective

To determine the incidence and etiologies of acquired third nerve palsy using a population-based method.

Design, Setting, and Participants

All newly diagnosed cases of acquired third nerve palsy from January 1, 1978, through December 31, 2014, in Olmsted County, Minnesota, were identified using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a record-linkage system of medical records for all patient-physician encounters among Olmsted County residents. All medical records were reviewed to confirm a diagnosis of acquired third nerve palsy and determine the etiologies, presenting signs, and symptoms. Incidence rates were adjusted to the age and sex distribution of the 2010 US white population.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incidence and etiologies of acquired third nerve palsies. The secondary outcome was incidence of pupil involvement in acquired third nerve palsies.

Results

We identified 145 newly diagnosed cases of acquired third nerve palsy in Olmsted County, Minnesota, over the 37-year period. The age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence of acquired third nerve palsy was 4.0 per 100 000 (95% CI, 3.3-4.7 per 100 000). The annual incidence in patients older than 60 was greater than patients younger than 60 (12.5 vs 1.7 per 100 000; difference, 10.8 per 100 000; 95% CI, 4.7-16.9; P < .001). The most common causes of acquired third nerve palsy were presumed microvascular (42%), trauma (12%), compression from neoplasm (11%), postneurosurgery (10%), and compression from aneurysm (6%). Ten patients (17%) with microvascular third nerve palsies had pupil involvement, while pupil involvement was seen in 16 patients (64%) with compressive third nerve palsies.

Conclusions and Relevance

This population-based cohort demonstrates a higher incidence of presumed microvascular third nerve palsies and a lower incidence of aneurysmal compression than previously reported in non-population-based studies. While compressive lesions had a higher likelihood of pupil involvement, pupil involvement did not exclude microvascular third nerve palsy and lack of pupil involvement did not rule out compressive third nerve palsy.

Facial asymmetry in ocular torticollis

Torticollis can arise from nonocular (usually musculoskeletal) and ocular conditions. Some facial asymmetries are correlated with a history of early onset ocular torticollis supported by the presence of torticollis on reviewing childhood photographs. When present in an adult, this type of facial asymmetry with an origin of ocular torticollis should help to confirm the chronicity of the defect and prevent unnecessary neurologic evaluation in patients with an uncertain history. Assessment of facial asymmetry consists of a patient history, physical examination, and medical imaging. Medical imaging and facial morphometry are helpful for objective diagnosis and measurement of the facial asymmetry, as well as for treatment planning. The facial asymmetry in congenital superior oblique palsy is typically manifested by midfacial hemihypoplasia on the side opposite the palsied muscle, with deviation of the nose and mouth toward the hypoplastic side. Correcting torticollis through strabismus surgery before a critical developmental age may prevent the development of irreversible facial asymmetry. Mild facial asymmetry associated with congenital torticollis has been reported to resolve with continued growth after early surgery, but if asymmetry is severe or is not treated in the appropriate time, it might remain even with continued growth after surgery.

Extraocular cranial nerve palsies in children

Visual disturbances resulting from acute nerve paralysis of the muscles controlling eye movements can be challenging to evaluate in the pediatric population. Children may not be capable of describing symptoms or providing an adequate history. Therefore, it is important to have an understanding of the anatomical course of the extraocular cranial nerves and clinical manifestations of their dysfunction. We report 2 cases of extraocular cranial nerve palsies and, in addition to an anatomical review, discuss the common etiologies of paralysis and the importance of ophthalmological and neurological follow-up to ensure optimal long-term visual function.

Cranial nerve palsies in childhood

We review ocular motor cranial nerve palsies in childhood and highlight many of the features that differentiate these from their occurrence in adulthood. The clinical characteristics of cranial nerve palsies in childhood are affected by the child's impressive ability to repair and regenerate after injury. Thus, aberrant regeneration is very common after congenital III palsy; Duane syndrome, the result of early repair after congenital VI palsy, is invariably associated with retraction of the globe in adduction related to the innervation of the lateral rectus by the III nerve causing co-contraction in adduction. Clinical features that may be of concern in adulthood may not be relevant in childhood; whereas the presence of mydriasis in III palsy suggests a compressive aetiology in adults, this is not the case in children. However, the frequency of associated CNS abnormalities in III palsy and the risk of tumour in VI palsy can be indications for early neuroimaging depending on presenting features elicited through a careful history and clinical examination. The latter should include the neighbouring cranial nerves. We discuss the impact of our evolving knowledge of congenital cranial dysinnervation syndromes on this field.

Blepharoptosis Associated With Third Cranial Nerve Palsy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the demographics and outcomes of management for blepharoptosis associated with third cranial nerve palsy at a tertiary eye center.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional and interventional study was performed on hospital records of patients with ptosis associated with third cranial nerve palsy who were referred to Labbafinejad Medical Center from January 1999 to January 2009. The authors evaluated age, sex, laterality, severity of involvement, etiology, clinical findings, and treatment modalities and outcomes in patients with blepharoptosis due to third cranial nerve palsy over a 10-year period.

RESULTS

Of a total of 45 subjects, 25 cases (55.6%) were males and 20 subjects (44.4%) were females. Mean age of enrolled subjects was 21.1 ± 15.5 years. Etiologies included trauma in 21 (46.7%), congenital in 16 (35.6%), and other causes in 8 (17.7%) cases. Overall, 18 of 45 patients (40%) underwent ptosis surgery: of these, 15 (83.3%) subjects improved with one procedure, whereas 3 (16.7%) subjects required more than one operation. For initial ptosis surgery, 5 (27.7%) patients underwent levator resection and 13 (72.3%) cases underwent frontalis sling; all second and third procedures were frontalis sling. One-step, 2-step, and 3-step ptosis surgery was accomplished in 15 (83.3%), 1 (5.6%), and 2 (11.1%) patients, respectively. Eventually, an open visual axis was attained in all cases following 1-3 operations.

CONCLUSIONS

Trauma was the most common cause of ptosis associated with third cranial nerve palsy in the current series. Surgical management of ptosis in patients with third nerve palsy may be challenging but most subjects achieve good results following appropriate and stepwise surgical plans.

Diplopia due to ocular motor cranial neuropathies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Determining which cranial nerve(s) is (are) involved is a critical step in appropriately evaluating a patient with diplopia.

RECENT FINDINGS

New studies have looked at the various etiologies of cranial nerve palsies in the modern imaging era. The importance of the C-reactive protein test in evaluating the possibility of giant cell arteritis has recently been emphasized.

SUMMARY

Dysfunction of the oculomotor (third), trochlear (fourth), or abducens (sixth) cranial nerve will produce ocular misalignment and resultant binocular diplopia or binocular blur. A misalignment in the vertical plane of as small as 200 μm is enough to produce diplopia. Diagnosing diplopia from a cranial nerve abnormality requires an understanding of structure (the anatomy of the cranial nerves from nucleus to muscle), function (the movements controlled by the cranial nerves), possible etiologies, and exceptions to the rules.

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in the cavernous sinus of a toddler presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy

INTRODUCTION

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a rare, highly malignant, and aggressive tumor of infancy. Although the prognosis of ATRT has been extremely poor, recently, the first prospective study for ATRT demonstrated improvement of prognosis. On the other hands, oculomotor nerve palsy is rare in children and the most frequent etiology is congenital. To our knowledge, only a few ATRT cases presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy have been reported, but ATRT originating from the cavernous sinus (CS) has not yet been reported.

CASE REPORT

An 18-month-old girl with right oculomotor nerve palsy was admitted, and a small mass in the right CS was detected with brain MRI. Although she received steroid pulse therapy and antimicrobial therapy, the mass continued to enlarge. One month after admission, the mass was partially resected and diagnosed as ATRT. Multimodal therapy including anthracycline-based chemotherapy, intrathecal therapy, and cranial irradiation was performed. Twenty-nine months after resection, she was alive without tumor relapse, but the oculomotor nerve palsy persisted.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of ATRT located in the CS presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy. This case was successfully treated with partial removal of the tumor, a new chemotherapy regimen for ATRT and cranial X-ray irradiation.

Recurrent and self-remitting sixth cranial nerve palsy: pathophysiological insight from skull base chondrosarcoma

Palsy of the abducens nerve is a neurological sign that has a wide range of causes due to the nerve's extreme vulnerability. Need of immediate neuroimaging is a matter of debate in the literature, despite the risks of delaying the diagnosis of a skull base tumor. The authors present 2 cases of skull base tumors in which the patients presented with recurrent and self-remitting episodes of sixth cranial nerve palsy (SCNP). In both cases the clinical history exceeded 1 year. In a 17-year-old boy the diagnosis was made because of the onset of headache when the tumor reached a very large size. In a 12-year-old boy the tumor was incidentally diagnosed when it was still small. In both patients surgery was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful. Pathological diagnosis of the tumor was consistent with that of a chondrosarcoma in both cases. Recurrent self-remitting episodes of SCNP, resembling transitory ischemic attacks, may be the presenting sign of a skull base tumor due to the anatomical relationships of these lesions with the petroclival segment of the sixth cranial nerve. Physicians should promptly recommend neuroimaging studies if SCNP presents with this peculiar course.

Motor palsies of cranial nerves (excluding VII) after vaccination: reports to the US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System

We reviewed cranial nerve palsies, other than VII, that have been reported to the US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). We examined patterns for differences in vaccine types, seriousness, age, and clinical characteristics. We identified 68 reports of cranial nerve palsies, most commonly involving the oculomotor (III), trochlear (IV), and abducens (VI) nerves. Isolated cranial nerve palsies, as well as palsies occurring as part of a broader clinical entity, were reported. Forty reports (59%) were classified as serious, suggesting that a cranial nerve palsy may sometimes be the harbinger of a broader and more ominous clinical entity, such as a stroke or encephalomyelitis. There was no conspicuous clustering of live vs. inactivated vaccines. The patient age range spanned the spectrum from infants to the elderly. Independent data may help to clarify whether, when, and to what extent the rates of cranial nerve palsies following particular vaccines may exceed background levels.

Fourth cranial nerve palsy and Brown syndrome: two interrelated congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders?

Based on neuroimaging data showing absence of the trochlear nerve, congenital superior oblique palsy is now classified as a congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder. A similar absence of the abducens nerve is accompanied by misinnervation to the lateral rectus muscle from a branch of oculomotor nerve in the Duane retraction syndrome. This similarity raises the question of whether some cases of Brown syndrome could arise from a similar synkinesis between the inferior and superior oblique muscles in the setting of congenital superior oblique palsy. This hypothesis has gained support from the confluence of evidence from a number of independent studies. Using Duane syndrome as a model, we critically review the accumulating evidence that some cases of Brown syndrome are ultimately attributable to dysgenesis of the trochlear nerve.