Horner's syndrome: An unusual presentation of metastatic disease in breast cancer

Horner syndrome after cervical spine corticosteroid injection

Horner syndrome is a rare condition caused by a lesion of the sympathetic cervical chain. Multiple cervical disorders are associated with such lesions. Here we report the first case of Horner syndrome after cervical facet joint corticosteroid injection.

Concurrent manifestations of Horner's syndrome and esophageal metastasis of breast cancer: case report of a young woman after a period of non-adherence to treatment: a case report

BACKGROUND

Esophageal involvement and Horner's syndrome are rare manifestations of breast cancer distant metastases that can pose a significant challenge in diagnosis and treatment. In addition to the more aggressive behavior of breast cancer diagnosed in young women, non-adherence to treatment is associated with increased risk of distant metastasis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 36-year-old Javanese woman presented to our institution with dysphagia, hoarseness, and frequent hiccups. In the 6 weeks prior to the current admission, the patient also reported tingling in the neck and shoulder, anhidrosis in the left hemifacial region, and drooping of the upper left eyelid. She was previously managed as tuberculoid laryngitis. Plain X-rays showed burst fractures of the cervical vertebrae and slight pleural effusion. Laryngoscopy revealed bowing of the vocal cords and liquid residue in the vallecula that was reduced upon chin tuck. Esophageal metastasis was confirmed with endoscopy showing thickening of the wall and positive cytology swab with ductal malignant cells. The patient had a history of breast cancer with a period of loss to follow-up of 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should consider potential distant metastasis of breast cancer to the esophagus and sympathetic nervous system of the neck particularly in a high-risk woman with presentation of dysphagia and manifestations of Horner's syndrome.

Unusual Cause of Horner Syndrome 13 Years After In Situ Ductal Carcinoma

Horner syndrome can be caused by a wide range of pathologies along the sympathetic nerve chain, from the hypothalamus to the orbit. Imaging workup of Horner syndrome is necessary given the potential for deadly lesions, especially in a patient with a previous cancer history. The authors report a case of a woman who presented with a preganglionic Horner syndrome secondary to vertebral metastasis from previously diagnosed breast cancer that involved the neural foramina at T1 and T2.