Parks 3-step test

Background: The Parks 3-step test is an important test in the diagnosis of a single cyclovertical muscle palsy. Purpose: This video is presented to provide a simplified and easy understanding of the Parks 3-step test for post-graduate residents. Synopsis: The video contains a description of the steps to perform a 3-step test, the results of the test in a case of superior oblique palsy, the conditions that mimic a positive 3-step test, and how to identify these mimicking conditions. Highlights: This is a simple demonstration of a classic clinical diagnostic procedure.

Surgical management of Helveston syndrome (triad of A- pattern exotropia, superior oblique overaction and dissociated vertical deviation) using 'Four Oblique' procedure

Purpose: To report the surgical outcomes in six patients of Helveston syndrome using a 揻our oblique� procedure. The popular methods for surgical management include superior rectus recessions alone or combined with superior oblique tenectomy. However, large angle exotropia correction would entail a higher risk of anterior segment ischemia when the superior rectus needs to be operated along with the horizontal recti. Hence, we evaluated the long-term results of this uncommon procedure. Methods: This was a retrospective review of six patients diagnosed to have manifest dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) with A pattern exotropia with bilateral superior oblique over action. All patients underwent horizontal muscle recessions/resections for exotropia along with bilateral posterior tenectomy of the superior oblique with inferior oblique anterior transpositioning. Results: The median age was 10 years (Range 5� years). The mean postoperative follow-up was 26 � 14.02 months (Range 12� months). The mean reduction in exotropia was from 36.5 � 21.06 PD (Range 15� PD) to 6.1 � 3.06 PD (Range 3� PD). The procedure corrected the A pattern from a mean 23 � 7 PD (Range 15� PD) to 7.6 � 3.2 PD (Range 3� PD). The average DVD in the right eye reduced from 14 � 4.3 PD (Range 8� PD) to 5.3 � 1.2 PD and in the left eye from 14.33 � 3.6 PD (Range 10� PD) to 4.1 � 1.1 PD. The DVD asymmetry reduced from 6.33 � 3.4 PD to 1.5 � 1.3 PD. Conclusion:擣our oblique� procedure with horizontal muscle surgery seems to be an effective method for significantly correcting the A pattern as well as reducing the DVD with good long-term outcome in our case series.

Curative efficacy of different surgical procedures in the treatment of congenital unilateral monocular oblique paralysis and its effects on binocular vision function / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To study the curative efficacy of different surgical procedures in the treatment of congenital unilateral monocular oblique paralysis and its effects on binocular vision function.<p>METHODS: Totally 82 children of congenital unilateral monocular oblique paralysis who received therapy from May 2016 to 2019 in our hospital were selected as research objects, operative plan was determined by the degree of hyperfunction of the inferior oblique muscle, the movement of the eyeball and the vertical obliquity of the eye position, the inferior oblique muscle tendon amputation(3 cases), partial inferior oblique muscle resection(63 cases), inferior oblique muscle recession(6 cases), posterior rectus muscle repair(4 cases), inferior oblique muscle weakening+contralateral/ipsilateral rectus muscle operation(5 cases), upper oblique folding(1 cases). The effects of different surgical procedures and the changes of binocular visual function, corrected visual acuity and compensatory head position before and after surgery were compared. <p>RESULTS: Compared with before surgery, the fusion function, hyperstereopsis, myopia, corrected visual acuity and compensatory head position were significantly improved after operation(<i>P</i><0.05); there was no significant difference in stereopsis between children with or without compensatory head position after operation(<i>P</i>>0.05). <p>CONCLUSION: Choosing different surgical methods according to the severity of congenital superior oblique paralysis has positive significance, which can improve the vision and compensating head position of children, and it's helpful to rebuild binocular vision function.

The Clinical Course of Superior Oblique Tuck Surgery in Patients with Unilateral Superior Oblique Palsy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of surgery depending on the follow-up duration after superior oblique tuck was performed as the first surgery in unilateral superior oblique palsy patients. METHODS: Sixteen patients who were followed-up for a minimum of 3 months were retrospectively evaluated. The vertical deviation, abnormal head posture, superior oblique underaction, and inferior oblique overaction were evaluated before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery and at the last follow-up. The angle between the center of the optic disc and fovea (disc-fovea angle) was measured using fundus photography to investigate changes in ocular torsion. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 24.9 ± 21.9 months and the mean tuck was 11.4 ± 4.0 mm. Vertical deviation <7 prism diopters in the primary position was observed in 53.9% of patients at 3 months postoperatively, 50.0% at 6 months, 83.3% at 12 months, and 62.5% at the last follow-up (p = 0.55). Head posture was improved in 66.7% of patients at 3 months, 71.4% at 6 months, 50% at 12 months, and 80% at the last follow-up after surgery (p = 0.73). Ocular torsion was decreased in 37.5% of patients at 3 months postoperatively, 66.7% at 6 months, 75% at 12 months, and 80.0% at the last follow-up (p = 0.11). Superior oblique underaction was improved in 100%, 77.8%, 60%, and 75% of the patients and inferior oblique overaction was improved in 100%, 88.9%, 85.7%, and 81.3% of the patients at postoperative month 3, 6, and 12, and at the last follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Superior oblique tuck resulted in the maintenance of an improved condition of patients at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and there was no significant difference in motor measurements between the follow-up periods.

Horizontal Effects of 10-mm Inferior Oblique Recession versus 14-mm Inferior Oblique Recession

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the quantitative effect of inferior oblique (IO) 10- and 14-mm recession on postoperative horizontal deviation. METHODS: Patients (22 men and 18 women) who underwent IO recession were divided into two groups for comparison studies: group 1 (10-mm IO recession, 15 patients) and group 2 (14-mm IO recession, 25 patients). Preoperative and postoperative horizontal deviations were measured, and the resulting horizontal deviations from the 10- and 14-mm IO recession surgeries were compared. The effects of superior oblique underaction, IO overaction, and combined exodeviation on postoperative horizontal deviation were analyzed. RESULTS: Although group 1 did not show a significant horizontal deviation change after surgery (1.9 ± 4.5 prism diopters [PD], p = 0.452), group 2 had a meaningful horizontal change after 14-mm recession (2.2 ± 3.8 PD, p = 0.022). Both groups showed a significant esodrift in horizontal deviation (group 1, p = 0.017; group 2, p = 0.030) in patients with exodeviation over 8 PD. The mean change in horizontal deviation was 6.0 ± 5.4 PD for group 1 and 9.0 ± 5.0 PD for group 2. Although the amount of superior oblique underaction did not affect the extent of change in horizontal deviation, patients with severe IO overaction showed a significant change in horizontal deviation after 14-mm IO recession. CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen-millimeter IO recession could make a statistically significant change in horizontal deviation after surgery. In addition, esodrift should be considered after IO recession in patients with a preoperative exodeviation greater than 8 PD or severe IO overaction.

Clinical analysis on surgical treatments of Helveston syndrome / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

·AIM: To investigate single step combined surgical treatments of Helveston syndrome. ·METHODS: A retrospective clinical analysis of 7 cases (14 eyes) with Helveston syndrome in our hospital. There were 14 eyes underwent single step combined surgical treatments, according to the degree of patients with superior oblique overaction and strabismus. A-pattern, dissociated vertical deviation (DVD), function of superior oblique and binocular visual function were examined and analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. · RESULTS: Bilateral superior oblique intrathecal tenectomy combined bilateral rectus recession were performed in 3 cases (6 eyes). Bilateral superior oblique tenectomy combined unilateral rectus recession were performed in 4 cases (4 eyes). The follow-up was 6mo;14 eyes of 7 patients attained normal ocular alignment. A-pattern and DVD disappeared. Binocular vision and stereoscopic vision were recovered in 6 eyes of 3 children. ·CONCLUSION: Helveston syndrome can be treated with single step combined surgery, and early surgical treatments can help the recovery of binocular visual function.

Superior Oblique Myokymia Associated with Neurovascular Cross Compression

Superior oblique myokymia (SOM) is a rare disorder characterized by unilateral paroxysmal oscillopsia or diplopia. Recent studies revealed that SOM can be associated with neuro-vascular cross compression (NVCC) of the trunk of the trochlear nerve. Although it frequently occurs without any underlying systemic disease or concurrent neurologic sign, we need to consider this NVCC especially in cases with persistent disturbing symptoms. Hereby, we present two cases of SOM whose neuroimaging studies suggest NVCCs and, discuss recent update of the pathomechanism of SOM.

Isolated Left Trochlear Nerve Palsy Caused by Sphenoid Sinus Mucocele / 대한이비인후과학회지

Paranasal sinus mucoceles are an uncommon cause of isolated palsies of cranial nerves III, IV, and VI. The trochlear nerve has been reported to be less frequently affected than the abducens and oculomotor nerves. Isolated sphenoid sinus diseases may cause serious complications by involving adjacent vital structures such as the optic nerve, cavernous sinus, internal carotid artery, and cranial nerves III–VI. We report a case of a 76-year-old woman who presented to our emergency department with a chief complaint of acute double vision and headache. Her diplopia was diagnosed as left trochlear nerve palsy. Brain CT and MRI revealed expanding cystic lesions in both sphenoid sinuses with bony erosion of the left sinus wall. The patient underwent an endoscopic intranasal sphenoidotomy and recovered completely from diplopia at postoperative 2 months. The relationship between the trochlear nerve palsy and its anatomy is also discussed.

A Case of Trochlear Nerve Schwannoma Presenting with Binocular Diplopia

PURPOSE: To report a case of unilateral trochlear nerve schwannoma in a patient without neurofibromatosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 58-year-old male presented with acute onset of diplopia which developed 10 days prior. Alternate prism cover test, ductions and versions and Bielschowsky three-step test were compatible with left superior oblique muscle palsy. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging showed a 6-mm-sized lobulated mass in the cisternal segment of the left trochlear nerve passing lateral to the brainstem. An additional thin-section gadolinium-enhanced orbit magnetic resonance imaging showed definite enhancement in the entire portion of the lobulated mass, compatible with a trochlear nerve schwannoma. Diplopia was managed conservatively with prism glasses and regular follow-up examinations were recommended without further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A trochlear nerve tumor should be considered in adults who develop diplopia associated with acquired superior oblique muscle palsy.

Surgical Management of Superior Oblique Muscle Palsy in Hypertropia 16 Prism Diopters or More

PURPOSE: Isolated inferior oblique weakening procedure is an effective treatment for patients with superior oblique muscle palsy who had up to 15 prism diopters (PD) of vertical deviation in the primary position, but 2-muscle surgery is needed for patients with larger deviations. Herein, we report the surgical results of simultaneous 2-extraocular muscle surgery for large primary position hypertropia 16 PD or more caused by superior oblique palsy. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the records of patients who presented with central gaze hypertropia 16 PD or more and underwent simultaneous 2-extraocular muscle surgery between January 2003 and June 2014 in Severance Hospital. The patients were divided into 3 groups: 43 patients who underwent inferior oblique (IO) myectomy and contralateral inferior rectus (IR) recession (Group 1), 10 patients who underwent IO myectomy and superior rectus (SR) recession (Group 2), and 8 patients who underwent SR recession and contralateral IR recession (Group 3). Criteria for success included correction of head posture and a primary position alignment within 5 PD of vertical deviation. RESULTS: Mean preoperative alignment at primary gaze was 25.5 ± 7.1 PD (range, 16-60 PD) compared to the postoperative value of -1.3 ± 6.8 PD (range, -20~25 PD) (p < 0.001). Surgery was successful in 49 (80%) patients. Nine (15%) patients were overcorrected and the other 3 (5%) patients were undercorrected. Success rate was the highest in subjects who underwent IO myectomy and contralateral IR recession. Among the 24 patients who did not receive combined horizontal muscle surgery, horizontal deviations decreased from 10.4 ± 2.7 PD to 1.5 ± 5.5 PD (p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Two-muscle surgery can be effective in patients with large hypertropia 16 PD or more. Additionally, horizontal deviations are more likely to be resolved with vertical muscle surgery alone. However, IO myectomy combined with ipsilateral SR recession can cause overcorrection postoperatively, so surgical dose should be reduced when performing weakening procedure of two elevators in one eye.

Comparison of Double Maddox Rod Test and Bagolini Striated Lens Test for Superior Oblique Palsy

PURPOSE: We compared the results of the double Maddox rod test (DMRT), which is commonly performed in clinics as a subjective torsion test for superior oblique muscle palsy, with those of the Bagolini striated lenses test (BSLT) in a least dissociating condition to predict the cyclofusional capacity. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with acquired superior oblique muscle palsy were tested for degree of subjective torsion with DMRT and BSLT in primary position and down-gaze in Daegu Catholic University Hospital from May 2014 to March 2015. DMRT was performed in a dark room and BSLT in a lighted room. RESULTS: Mean extorsional degree in primary position was 3.40 ± 2.58° on DMRT and 1.88 ± 2.92° on BSLT, a significant difference (p = 0.000). In down-gaze, mean extorsional degree was 4.16 ± 2.90° with DMRT and 2.40 ± 2.90° with BSLT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The subjective torsional measurement with BSLT was significantly smaller than with DMRT, and the cyclofusional capacity in patients with acquired superior oblique palsy was 1.5° in primary position and 1.8° in down-gaze. BSLT is helpful in addition to DMRT and fundus photograph for the evaluation of cyclotropia in patients with superior oblique muscle palsy, and this test may yield clinically important information for predicting the cyclofusional capacity of patients with superior oblique muscle palsy.

Surgical treatment methods for Helveston syndrome / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the surgical methods of Helveston syndrome. METHODS: Fifteen cases ( 30 eyes ) with Helveston syndrome were studied. Surgical method was selected according to the degree of superior oblique muscle overaction and dissociated vertical deviation (DVD). RESULTS: Binocular superior oblique intrathecal tenectomy was performed in 8 patients (16 eyes). Follow-up period after surgery was 1-3a. Those 8 patients got A-sign correction, of which 3 patients (6 eyes) got DVD vanished and 5 patients (10 eyes) got DVD alleviation. None of the 8 cases needed another operation for DVD. Binocular superior rectus recession and binocular lateral rectus recession with vertical offsets was performed in 4 patients (8 eyes). Follow-up period after surgery was 1-3a. The 4 patients got A sign correction and with orthophoria, of which 1 patient ( 2 eyes ) got DVD vanished and 3 patients ( 6 eyes) got DVD alleviation. None of the 4 cases needed another operation for DVD. Binocular lateral rectus recession and vertical offsets was performed in 3 patients (6 eyes). Follow-up period after surgery was half a year, with orthophoria, no A sign, DVD weakened, and no second operation was needed. CONCLUSION: Surgical procedures for Helveston syndrome can be selected according to the degree of superior oblique muscle overaction and DVD.

Use of Video-oculography in the Diagnosis of Superior Oblique Myokymia

PURPOSE: Superior oblique myokymia is intermittent spontaneous contractions of the superior oblique muscle presenting as rapid and small-amplitude intorsions and depressions of the eye. The authors report a case of superior oblique myokymia that was objectively and quantitatively diagnosed with slit lamp examination and video-oculography and completely resolved with medical treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old woman presented with a seven-year history of intermittent oscillopsia which continued for few seconds. She had no history of head trauma or systemic ocular disease, and the anterior segment and fundus examination were unremarkable. Right eye intorsion lasting for a few seconds as detected by slit lamp examination. Eye movements were recorded using video-oculography, which showed a torsional nystagmus of 5 to 10 degrees with 2 to 5 vertical components in the right eye. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with superior oblique myokymia. The patient was prescribed topical timolol ophthalmic solution, one drop twice per day, but the symptoms persisted. Timolol ophthalmic solution was stopped and replaced with carbamazepine, 200 mg twice a day, which resolved her symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Slit lamp examination and video-oculography can be used as objective and quantitative diagnostic tools in order to confirmed a diagnosis and lead to proper treatment.

Effect of bilateral superior oblique split lengthening on torsion.

Introduction: Superior oblique split lengthening (SOSL) is done for weakening of superior oblique. It corrects the superior oblique overaction (SOOA) and A pattern. Its effect on the torsion of the eye is not known. We present our data on the effect of this particular procedure on torsion. Materials and Methods: We did a study of 16 patients (32 eyes) who underwent bilateral SOSL and compared the disc foveal angle (DFA) preoperatively and postoperatively. The split lengthening was done from 4 mm to 7 mm depending upon the overaction of superior oblique. Results: The mean age was 15.3 ± 8.4 years. Mean preoperative DFA in the right eye (RE) was −3.9° and in the left eye (LE) was −2.9°. Mean postoperative DFA in RE was 0.2° and in LE was 0.9°. The mean change in the DFA for RE was 4.1° ± 1.3° and for LE was 3.8° ± 1.2°. All the patients were aligned horizontally within 6 prism diopter and no pattern and no diplopia postoperatively. The A pattern was corrected in all the patient postsurgery. For each mm of surgery, an improvement of 0.8° was seen in the DFA. Conclusion: We report the effect of SOSL on torsion. The SOSL reduces intorsion postsurgery and is, therefore, a valuable procedure in SOOA where both pattern and in torsion needs to be corrected.

The Effect of Inferior Oblique Muscle Transposition in Primary and Secondary Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the effect of transposition of inferior oblique muscle in patients with primary inferior oblique muscle overaction and secondary due to superior oblique muscle palsy. METHODS: The present study included 41 patients (53 eyes), who appeared to have primary or secondary inferior oblique muscle overaction due to superior oblique muscle palsy and received transposition of inferior oblique muscle with at least 3 months of follow-up. Patients were retrospectively analyzed to compare the effect of correction and its prognosis. Inferior oblique muscle overaction was graded as +1 to +4 according to the severity. Successful surgery was defined as postoperative inferior oblique muscle overaction from 0 to +1 and failure as above +2. Hypertropia in primary gaze was also recorded to evaluate the effect of correction. RESULTS: Twenty-six (35 eyes) and 15 (18 eyes) patients with primary and secondary inferior oblique muscle overaction due to superior oblique muscle palsy, respectively, received transposition of inferior oblique muscle. Patients with primary inferior oblique muscle overaction showed correction of 2.1 +/- 0.9 with preoperative inferior oblique muscle overaction of 2.0 +/- 0.7. Patients with secondary inferior oblique muscle overaction showed a correction of 2.3 +/- 0.9 with preoperative value of 2.3 +/- 0.8. Each 3.2 +/- 4.1 prism diopters (PD) and 6.5 +/- 5.3 PD of hypertropia at primary gaze showed correction of 3.0 +/- 7.4 PD and 6.3 +/- 5.1 PD, respectively, in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Primary and secondary inferior oblique muscle overaction due to superior oblique muscle palsy showed no difference in correction of overaction and hypertropia after transposition of inferior oblique muscle. Except for presence of inferior oblique muscle underaction, the correction appears effective with good prognosis.

Effect of strabismus surgery on torticollis caused by congenital superior oblique palsy in young children.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of strabismus surgery for congenital superior oblique palsy (SOP) in relation to correction of head tilt and hypertropia. The cohort of patients mainly involved very young children. This is the first study to use a standardized instrument to objectively measure torticollis before and after surgery. Materials and Methods: A non‑comparative interventional case series of 13 cases of congenital superior oblique palsy with head tilt, who underwent simultaneous superior oblique tuck and inferior oblique recession between Jan 2000 and Dec 2008, were studied. Results: The mean duration of SOP until surgery was 36.8 months. Of the 12 unilateral cases, 8 were right‑sided. Mean follow‑up period was 17 months (range 7‑36). The outcome was determined at the last follow‑up. Mean pre‑and post‑operative hypertropia (p.d.) in forced primary position was 19 ± 7 and 2 ± 6, respectively (P < 0.0001). The head tilt reduced from mean of 17 ± 9 to 2 ± 2 degrees (P < 0.0001). Success, defined as hypertropia <5 PD and head tilt less than 5 degrees, was achieved in 69% (9/13. C.I. 42‑88%) and 85% (11/13. C.I. 56‑96%), respectively. The success rate for achieving both criteria was 61.5% (C.I. 35‑88%). Five patients required additional surgery; usually a contralateral inferior rectus muscle recession, which was successful in all cases. One case developed asymptomatic Brown syndrome (7.69% ‑ C.I. 6.7‑22.2). Conclusions: Simultaneous superior oblique tuck and inferior oblique muscle recession can successfully treat selected cases of congenital superior oblique palsy. About one‑third required an additional procedure, which led to total normalization of the head position.

A Case of Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation Presenting with Isolated Myositis of the Superior Oblique Muscle

PURPOSE: To report a case of idiopathic orbital inflammation presenting with isolated myositis of the superior oblique muscle. CASE SUMMARY: A 57-year-old male presented with pain in his left eye and diplopia for three months. His past history was unremarkable except surgery for a thyroid nodule six months prior. At initial presentation, his corrected vision and intraocular pressure were normal. Biomicroscopy and fundus examination were unremarkable. Nasal side swelling of the left upper eyelid was observed, and 1.5-mm proptosis of the left eye was revealed on exophthalmometry. Two and four prism diopter right hypertropia were noted at up and right-up gaze, respectively. Axial and coronal orbital computed tomography (CT) showed enhancement of isolated superior oblique muscle hypertrophy in the left eye. Systemic work-up was negative for any inflammatory disease. A presumptive diagnosis of isolated myositis of superior oblique muscle was made, and the patient was started on 30 mg of oral prednisolone daily. Pain and diplopia disappeared and proptosis of the left eye decreased to 0.5 mm after one week of treatment. Orbital CT images obtained one month after treatment showed a significant decrease in size of the left superior oblique muscle. The steroid was tapered for two months, and the patient has shown no signs of recurrence for four months after cessation of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic orbital inflammation presenting with isolated myositis of the superior oblique muscle is very rare and has not been previously reported in Korea. A patient presenting with pain and diplopia was diagnosed as having isolated myositis of the superior oblique muscle based on CT scan, and good results were achieved with oral steroid therapy.

Correction of Hypertropia Coexisting with Intermittent Exotropia

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features associated with hypertropia and report the surgical outcomes of hypertropia coexisting with exotropia. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 148 patients with intermittent exotropia coexisting with hypertropia over 4 PD who received exotropia surgery. The cases accompanied by apparent paralytic strabismus such as superior oblique palsy were excluded. Patients were divided into group I(clinically diagnosed hypertropia) and group II (non-specific hypertropia) and the clinical features of coexisting hypertropia and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 148 patients, group Iconsisted of 38 patients (26%) and group II of 110 patients (74%). The average amount of preoperative hypertropia angle in primary gaze was 9.58 +/- 3.89 PD and 6.62 +/- 2.69 PD in group I and II, respectively. Group I included 12 patients with dissociated vertical deviation (DVD), 10 patients with unilateral inferior oblique overaction, 13 patients with asymmetric bilateral inferior oblique overaction and 3 patients with superior oblique overaction. Group II included 19 patients with comitant hypertropia (17%), head tilt positive pattern (simulated superior oblique palsy) was found in 84 patients (76.3%) and variable incomitance was observed. In group I, 29 patients received simultaneous horizontal muscle with hypertropia surgery. Postoperative hypertropia angle in group I was 1.41 +/- 2.93 PD and 4 cases were considered surgical failure. In group II, hypertropia was resolved with horizontal muscle surgery only and the amount of postoperative hypertropia was 0.45 +/- 1.60 PD. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, vertical deviations in intermittent exotropia with concomitant hypertropia related to obvious oblique muscle dysfunction or DVD were corrected effectively by oblique or vertical rectus muscle surgery. Nonspecific hypertropia can be resolved after horizontal muscle surgery alone, however, for precise differential diagnosis, careful examination for variable clinical features is necessary before determining surgery.

Traumatic Rupture of the Superior Oblique Muscle Tendon

Traumatic rupture of the superior oblique muscle is rare. We report a case of a 54-year-old man injured by the metal hook of a hanger, resulting in a rupture of the superior oblique muscle tendon. He complained of torsional diplopia when in the primary position. The distal margin of the superior oblique muscle was reattached to sclera 5 and 9 mm apart from the medial insertion of the superior rectus muscle. One week after the operation, torsional diplopia disappeared. However, a 4-prism diopter ipsilateral hypertropia was observed. Three months later, hypertropia gradually increased to 20 prism dioptors and the second operation was done to correct vertical diplopia.

Clinical Features and Natural Course of Superior Oblique Palsy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the natural course of superior oblique palsy (SOP) with objective criteria, and to show the contemporary etiology and recovery rates among several factors. The clinical features of SOP were compared to previous studies. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 80 patients diagnosed with SOP between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2011 was performed. RESULTS: Clinical SOP features showed variation when compared to previous studies. Out of 80 patients, 71 were identified with unilateral isolated and 9 bilateral cases of SOP. Twenty cases were congenital and 60 cases were acquired SOPs. Acquired SOPs were affected most commonly by trauma (31%) and vascular disease (30%). Twenty-four out of 49 patients, who were followed up over 2 months after the first visit recovered, especially vascular origin cases, which was statistically significant (75%, p = 0.000). Patients with initial vertical deviation smaller than 5 Prism diopters (PD) experienced a more successful recovery than patients with an initial deviation larger than 5 PD. CONCLUSIONS: SOP has different recovery rates depending on the etiology. Accurate ocular examination and understanding of SOP etiology are necessary for successful treatment.