Horner's syndrome
| Horner's syndrome | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Bernard-Horner syndrome (BH), oculosympathetic palsy |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Field | N/A |
| Symptoms | |
| Complications | |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | |
| Causes | |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | |
| Differential diagnosis | |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | |
| Medication | |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | |
| Deaths | |
Horner's syndrome, or oculosympathetic paresis, is a rare neurological condition characterized by a constellation of symptoms resulting from disruption of the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye and surrounding facial structures[1]. This nerve pathway starts in the hypothalamus of the brain, descends to the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord, and then ascends to the face along the internal carotid artery.
Symptoms and Signs[edit | edit source]
The classic triad of Horner's syndrome includes miosis (constriction of the pupil), partial ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), and anhidrosis (loss of sweating) on the same side of the face as the affected sympathetic pathway. Other symptoms may include enophthalmos (inward displacement of the eye) and blood vessel dilation on the affected side[2].
Causes and Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
Horner's syndrome results from an interruption in the sympathetic nerve supply, which can be caused by various conditions such as stroke, trauma, tumors, or neurologic damage from surgery. The syndrome can be classified by the location of the lesion along the sympathetic pathway: first-order neuron lesions occur in the brainstem or cervical spinal cord; second-order neuron lesions occur in the sympathetic chain in the upper chest; and third-order neuron lesions occur along the internal carotid artery or within the cavernous sinus in the skull[3].
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of Horner's syndrome is based on clinical observation of the characteristic symptoms. Pharmacological testing with topical cocaine or apraclonidine can confirm the diagnosis by demonstrating an abnormal response in the affected pupil. Imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans may be required to identify the underlying cause of the syndrome[4].
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for Horner's syndrome focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the nerve disruption. There is no specific treatment for the syndrome itself, but the symptoms can be managed and may resolve over time if the cause is treated effectively[5].
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
| Classification | |
|---|---|
| External resources |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
