Anomalous synkinetic movements related to ocular muscles caused by abnormal innervations

Guixiang LIU; Cong HU; Xian YANG; Jin XU; Qinglan KONG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The clinical features and classification of various anomalous synkinetic movements related to ocular muscles caused by abnormal innervations have not been fully understood.

OBJECTIVE:

To report and analyze the clinical features of anomalous synkinetic movements related to ocular muscles caused by abnormal innervations, as well as to classify them according to the same neuromuscular nerves.

DESIGN:

A retrospective case analysis.

SETTING:

Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of Qingdao University.

PARTICIPANTS:

The study was mainly conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of Qingdao University. A total of 836 cases of abnormal ocular movements were found from January 1997 to January 2002. Among them 67 cases of anomalous synkinetic movements were diagnosed.

METHODS:

All patients were inquired of case history and their ocular movements were examined. The anomalous synkinetic movements were found and classified into congenital and acquired. All cases were analyzed according to the same neuromuscular nerves, such as between branches of oculomotor nerve, oculomotor and abducens nerve, supranucleus and other anomalous synkinetic movements.lous synkinetic movements were determined by inquiring the history of observed.

RESULTS:

Sixty-seven anomalous synkinetic movements (8%) of 836 abnormal ocular movements were diagnosed; congenital anomalous synkinetic movements were the most common ones (88.06%) and were often seen in patients with Duane's syndrome. Anomalous synkinetic muscles occurred the most common between lateral and medial rectus, lateral rectus and levator palpebrae muscle (36.89% respectively) in congenital cases, and those occurred between inferior rectus and levator palpebrae muscle more commonly (30%) in acquired cases.

CONCLUSION:

Anomalous synkinetic movements related to ocular muscles are not infrequently seen. When we find paradoxical movements between ocular muscles, or between ocular muscles and other unrelated muscles, anomalous synkinetic movements should be considered.