Ophthalmologic Findings in Patients with Neuro-metabolic Disorders

Clinical and biochemical footprints of inherited metabolic disorders. VII. Ocular phenotypes

Ocular manifestations are observed in approximately one third of all inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs). Although ocular involvement is not life-threatening, it can result in severe vision loss, thereby leading to an additional burden for the patient. Retinal degeneration with or without optic atrophy is the most frequent phenotype, followed by oculomotor problems, involvement of the cornea and lens, and refractive errors. These phenotypes can provide valuable clues that contribute to its diagnosis. In this issue we found 577 relevant IMDs leading to ophthalmologic manifestations. This article is the seventh of a series attempting to create and maintain a comprehensive list of clinical and metabolic differential diagnoses according to system involvement.

Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Children With Strabismus

PURPOSE

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain can provide valuable information about structural abnormalities in strabismus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of MRI in this regard and to identify risk factors for abnormal MRI results in children with strabismus.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of children <18 years of age presenting with strabismus, who underwent brain MRI at Pusan National University Hospital (Busan, Korea) between January 2012 and March 2017, was performed. Clinical characteristics, MRI results, and ophthalmologic findings were reviewed. Findings were classified as normal or abnormal according to MRI results. Additionally, patients were divided according to age to compare characteristics of infantile and childhood strabismus.

RESULTS

A total of 90 patients (47 [52.2%] male, 43 [47.8%] female; mean age, 2.19 ± 0.53 years) were enrolled. Of those, 64 (71.1%) presented with normal and 26 (28.9%) with abnormal MRI results. The age at presentation was lower and abnormal findings on fundus examination were more common in the abnormal MRI group (P = .002 and P = .008, respectively). Among the patients, 46 (51.1%) had infantile strabismus and 44 (48.9%) had childhood strabismus. Global developmental delays, speech delays, and MRI abnormalities were more common in patients with infantile than in those with childhood strabismus. Ptosis and headaches were more common in patients with childhood strabismus (P = .025, P = .025, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Brain MRI was helpful for accurate diagnosis and treatment of strabismus in younger children, those with abnormal findings on fundus examination, and infants with developmental, especially speech, delays.