Opsoclonus

Opsoclonus is a medical condition characterized by rapid, involuntary, multivectorial (horizontal and vertical), unpredictable, conjugate fast eye movements without intersaccadic intervals. It is also known as opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS), dancing eyes-dancing feet syndrome, or Kinsbourne syndrome. This condition is rare, affecting about 1 in 10,000,000 people per year. It is often associated with neuroblastoma in children, and with breast cancer or small-cell lung cancer in adults.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of opsoclonus is rapid, involuntary eye movement. Other symptoms can include difficulty speaking (dysarthria), difficulties with coordination and balance (ataxia), and, in some cases, a mild encephalopathy. Children with opsoclonus may also exhibit irritability, malaise, and lethargy.

Causes

Opsoclonus is often caused by a tumor, most commonly neuroblastoma in children and small-cell lung cancer or breast cancer in adults. It can also be caused by viral or bacterial infections, or it can be idiopathic (of unknown cause).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of opsoclonus is primarily based on clinical observation of the characteristic eye movements. Additional tests may be performed to identify potential underlying causes, such as imaging studies to look for tumors, and blood tests to check for signs of infection.

Treatment

Treatment of opsoclonus typically involves addressing the underlying cause, if one can be identified. This may involve surgery to remove a tumor, or antibiotics to treat an infection. In some cases, immunosuppressive therapy may be used.

Prognosis

The prognosis for opsoclonus varies depending on the underlying cause. If the cause is a tumor, the prognosis is generally good if the tumor can be successfully removed. If the cause is an infection, the prognosis is generally good with appropriate treatment. However, in some cases, opsoclonus can cause permanent neurological damage.

See also

• Neuroblastoma
• Small-cell lung carcinoma
• Breast cancer
• Dysarthria
• Ataxia
• Encephalopathy

Opsoclonus Resources
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