Postoperative Third Nerve Palsy after Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma: Elucidating its Mechanism.

Third nerve palsy is a rare complication of transsphenoidal surgery and has been merely mentioned in different studies, but there is not any rigorous analysis focusing on this particular complication. The purpose of this study is to analyze this complication after transsphenoidal surgery for a pituitary adenoma to better understand its pathophysiology and outcome. The authors retrospectively analyzed 3 cases of third nerve palsy selected from the 377 patients operated via a transsphenoidal route between 2012 and 2021 at FLENI, a private tertiary neurology and neurosurgical medical center located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The three patients who presented this complication were operated on via an endoscopic approach. It was observed that an extension into the cavernous sinus (Knosp grade 4) and to the oculomotor cistern was present in the three patients. The deficit was apparent immediately after surgery in two patients. For these two patients, the supposed mechanism of ophthalmoplegia was an intraoperative nerve lesion. The other patient became symptomatic in the 48 h following the surgery. The mechanism implied in this case was intracavernous hemorrhagic suffusion. The latter patient completely recovered the third nerve deficit in the 3 months that followed, while the other two recovered after 6 months postoperative. Oculomotor nerve palsy after transsphenoidal surgery is a very rare complication and appears to be transient in most cases. The invasion of both the cavernous sinus and the oculomotor cistern seems to be a major factor in its physiopathology and should be preoperatively analyzed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); recognizing such extension should play an important role in the surgeon's operative considerations.

Risks for Oculomotor Nerve Palsy and Time to Recovery After Surgical Clipping of Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms of the posterior communicating segment of carotid artery (PcomA) have a high risk of rupture; when these nonruptured aneurysms are associated with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP), the risk of rupture increases compared with asymptomatic nonruptured PcomA. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the risk factors involved in ONP secondary to PcomA aneurysm and to study the factors involved in the recovery time of ONP once it is established. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients from 10 neurosurgery centers from October 2008 to December 2020. We analyzed age at diagnosis, presence of compressive neuropathy of the oculomotor nerve, presence of aneurysm rupture, largest aneurysm diameter, aneurysm projection, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, time between diagnosis and surgical treatment, as well as the outcome. RESULTS: Approximately 1 in 5 patients (119/511 23.3%) with a PcomA presented with ONP. We found that patients with aneurysms measuring greater than or equal to 7.5 mm were 1.6 times more likely to have ONP than those with aneurysms smaller than 7.5 mm. In our study, the prevalence of smoking in the PcomA + ONP group was 57.76%, and we also found that smokers were 2.51 times more likely to develop ONP. A total of 80.7% showed some degree of improvement, and 45.4% showed complete improvement with a median recovery time of 90 days. CONCLUSION: This study showed that 80.7% of patients with PcomA aneurysms undergoing surgical treatment with aneurysm clipping showed some degree of improvement of the ONP, with a median time to recovery between 90 and 120 days.

[Claude syndrome: Incomplete third cranial nerve palsy and contralateral ataxia]. / Síndrome de Claude: III par incompleto y ataxia contralateral.

Midbrain strokes are rare and are usually accompanied by other concomitant injuries. The simultaneous presence of ipsi and contralateral signs makes it necessary to think of a brainstem syndrome due to involvement of the brainstem. Magnetic nuclear resonance is the study of choice to characterize and locate the lesion. We report the case of a 71-year old man who presented right third cranial nerve palsy and hemiataxia, a rare condition known as Claude's syndrome.

Los accidentes cerebrovasculares mesencefálicos son poco frecuentes y por lo general están acompañados de otras lesiones concomitantes. La presencia simultánea de signos ipsi y contralaterales obliga a pensar en un síndrome alterno por compromiso del tronco encefálico. La resonancia magnética nuclear es el estudio de elección para caracterizar y localizar la lesión. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 71 años que sufrió parálisis del tercer par derecho y hemiataxia izquierda, cuadro infrecuente, conocido como síndrome de Claude.

Two birds, one stone: a surgical approach for third nerve palsy with aberrant regeneration.

Aberrant regeneration in third nerve palsies, linking medial rectus contraction to the levator palpebrae muscle, is a great opportunity for surgical planning to address both the ptosis and horizontal deviation in a single procedure. We report a case of severe ptosis associated with exotropia that was successfully corrected with a single horizontal strabismus surgery owing to aberrant regeneration and discuss the basis underlying the surgical planning.

Manifestaciones oftalmológicas del dengue, el zika y el chikungunya / Ophthalmic manifestations of dengue, zika and chikungunya

Las infecciones por arbovirus constituyen un reto significativo para los sistemas de salud. Cada vez se incrementa el reconocimiento de complicaciones del sistema nervioso central secundarias a ellas, lo que puede ser un dilema para su diagnóstico y tratamiento. Los arbovirus pueden alterar los mecanismos de inmunidad innatos del ojo al dañar las barreras óculo-hemáticas. En esta revisión nos propusimos caracterizar los principales hallazgos oftalmológicos de las enfermedades transmitidas por mosquito, como el dengue, el zika y el chikungunya, y su posible fisiopatología. Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura sobre el tema en la base de datos de PubMED. En los pacientes con zika y chikungunya se reconocieron frecuentemente la conjuntivitis no purulenta y la queratitis. En los casos de dengue el edema macular y las hemorragias retinianas maculares fueron frecuentes; causaron disminución de la visión y defectos campimétricos; la vasculitis y coriorretinitis periférica podía ser asintomática si la mácula no estaba comprometida. Estuvieron implicados la trombocitopenia y otros procesos fisiopatológicos. En las enfermedades estudiadas se reportaron casos raros con parálisis de nervios oculomotores o neuritis óptica como respuesta autoinmune tardía. Recientemente se reportó el síndrome de zika congénito que incluyó múltiples anomalías del desarrollo. En los neonatos afectados se describió la atrofia macular, así como la pigmentación macular bilateral, la hipoplasia del nervio óptico, la catarata, entre otros. Existen diversas lesiones oculares secundarias a infecciones por dengue, zika y chikungunya que merecen reconocimiento, pues deterioran la función visual temporal o permanentemente(AU)

Arbovirus infections pose a significant challenge to health systems. Awareness of the secondary central nervous system complications caused by these infections is on the increase, which may be a dilemma for their diagnosis and treatment. Arboviruses may alter the innate immunity mechanisms of the eye by damaging blood-retinal barriers. The objective of this review was to characterize the main ophthalmological findings of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, zika and chikungunya, and their possible physiopathology. A bibliographic search about the topic was conducted in the database PubMed. Non-purulent conjunctivitis and keratitis were frequently found in zika and chikungunya patients. Dengue cases often presented macular edema and macular retinal hemorrhage, which caused vision reduction, as well as campimetric defects. Vasculitis and peripheral chorioretinitis could be asymptomatic if the macula was not involved. Thrombocytopenia and other physiopathological processes were also present. Oculomotor nerve palsy and optic neuritis as a late autoimmune response were rarely reported in the diseases studied. Recent reports refer to congenital zika syndrome, which causes multiple developmental abnormalities. Macular atrophy, bilateral macular pigmentation, optic nerve hypoplasia and cataract, among other disorders, were described in affected neonates. A variety of ocular lesions secondary to dengue, zika and chikungunya infection deserve recognition, for they damage visual function either temporarily or permanently(AU)

Oculomotor nerve palsy in an asymptomatic child with COVID-19.

We report the case of a 2-year-old girl with acute-onset divergent strabismus and ptosis in the right eye. She had an exotropia of 45Δ for near, eyelid ptosis affecting the visual axis, adduction, limitations of up- and downgaze, and a discrete mydriasis in the right eye. Neurological conditions were ruled out. Serology was positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The patient was managed conservatively with ocular physiotherapy and close visual acuity monitoring. On follow-up examination at 1 month, there was marked improvement of the exotropia (25Δ for near), adduction, ptosis, and mydriasis.

Paresia unilateral do terceiro nervo após uso de Metronidazol oral / Unilateral third nerve palsy after use of oral Metronidazole

Resumo Paciente do sexo feminino, 19 anos, com queixa de diplopia, náusea e vômito de início súbito. Ao exame físico, a paciente apresentava rotação da cabeça para a esquerda e limitação da adução do olho direito, sugerindo paresia do músculo reto medial. Ausência de ptose palpebral ou paresia de outra musculatura ocular extrínseca e sem outras alterações na avaliação oftalmológica. Foi relatado pelo paciente o uso de Metronidazol, duas doses de 500 mg, no mesmo dia em que os sintomas começaram. A ressonância magnética do crânio foi solicitada. O resultado mostrou um cisto da glândula pineal, estando os outros aspectos dentro da normalidade. A paresia do músculo reto medial e diplopia persistiram por 14 dias, mesmo após a suspensão do antibiótico, optando, assim, por iniciar a corticoterapia oral, evoluindo com boa resposta clínica, melhora dos sintomas e regressão da paresia muscular.

Abstract Female patient, 19 years old, with a complaint of diplopia, nausea and vomiting of sudden onset. Upon physical examination, the patient presented herself with the head position rotated to the left and limitation of adduction of the right eye, suggesting paresis of the medial rectus muscle. Absence of palpebral ptosis or paresis of other extrinsic musculature of the eye, and without other alterations in the ophthalmological evaluation. It was reported by the patient the use of Metronidazole, two doses of 500 mg, the same day the symptoms started. The magnetic resonance imaging of the skull was requested. The result showed a cyst of the pineal gland, the other aspects being within normality. The paresis of the medial rectus muscle and diplopia persisted for 14 days, even after the antibiotic was discontinued, thus opting to initiate oral corticosteroid therapy, evolving with good clinical response, improvement of symptoms and regression of muscular paresis.

Regeneración aberrante del III nervio craneal por aneurisma cerebral bilateral. Reporte de caso / Aberrant regeneration of the III cranial nerve due to bilateral cerebral aneurism

RESUMEN Los trastornos de la motilidad ocular constituyen motivo de consulta periódica en Oftalmología. La regeneración aberrante, trastorno muy poco reportado, es considerada la sincinesia oculomotora de mayor invalidez y complejidad. Diversas condiciones neuroftalmológicas están implicadas en la etiopatogenia de la enfermedad, la mayoría de las cuales puede ocasionar la muerte. El manejo de los síntomas y signos provocados por paradójicos movimientos oculares conjugados es difícil. Se reportó un caso con remisión tardía a neuroftalmología por diagnóstico inicial y evolución desfavorable. La historia psicofísica arrojó diagnóstico definitivo de regeneración aberrante del III nervio craneal secundario, a aneurisma cerebral de la carótida interna bilateral, agravado por reanastomosis quirúrgica. Una rigurosa, obligatoria e impostergable historia neuroftalmológica, se impone ante toda parálisis del III nervio craneal para brindar un diagnóstico etiológico preciso y de esta forma proteger la vida.

ABSTRACT The disturbances in ocular motility are the cause of periodical consultation in Ophthalmology. The aberrant regeneration, a scarcely reported disturbance, is considered the oculomotor synkinesis of highest disability and complexness. Several neuro-ophthalmologic conditions are implicated in the disease ethiopathogeny, and most of them could lead to death. The management of the symptoms and signs caused by paradoxical conjugated ocular movements is difficult. A case is reported of late remission to Neuro-ophthalmology due to unfavorable diagnosis and evolution. The psycho-physical history led to a definitive diagnosis of aberrant regeneration of the III secondary cranial nerve, to cerebral aneurism of the bilateral internal carotid, worsened by surgical re-anastomosis. In front of any paralysis of the III cranial nerve, it is necessary a rigorous, obligatory and immediate neuro-ophthalmological history to arrive to a precise etiological diagnosis, protecting life in that way.

Arteritis de células gigantes en el sistema vertebrobasilar, isquemias cerebelo-occipitales y parálisis III par: caso clínico / Giant cell arteritis of the vertebrobasilar system, posterior ischemia and palsy of the third nerve: report of one case

Giant cell arteritis is the most common vasculitis in patients aged over 50 years. We report an 89-year-old woman with significant weight loss and persistent frontal-occipital headaches lasting two months. The neurological examination at admission identified a decrease in visual acuity of the left eye, paralysis of the third cranial nerve of the right eye and alterations of body motility without objective signs of damage of the motor or sensitive pathways. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes of the temporal artery wall and in both vertebral arteries, as well as bilateral cerebellar and occipital ischemic lesions. The Doppler ultrasound of the temporal arteries was compatible with Giant cell arteritis. Treatment with steroids was started. While receiving oral prednisone, the patient suffered new infarcts of the posterior territory, documented with a CAT scan.

Amaurosis and contralateral cranial nerve pairs III and VI paralysis after peribulbar block - Case report / Amaurose e paralisia do III e do VI pares cranianos contralaterais após bloqueio peribulbar - relato de caso

Abstract Background and objectives: Peribulbar anesthesia has emerged as a safer option compared with intraconal retrobulbar block. Still, peribulbar anesthesia may not be considered without risk. Numerous complications have been described when performing this technique. This report aims to describe a rare case of amaurosis and contralateral paralysis while attempting to perform a peribulbar anesthesia. Case report: Male patient, 75-year old, physical status ASA II, undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Sedated with fentanyl and midazolam and subjected to peribulbar anesthesia. There were no complications during surgery. After finishing the procedure, the patient reported lack of vision in the contralateral eye. Akinesia of the muscles innervated by the cranial nerve pairs III and VI, ptosis, and medium-sized pupils unresponsive to light stimulus were observed. Four hours after anesthesia, complete recovery of vision and eyelid and eyeball movements was seen in the non-operated eye. Conclusions: During peribulbar anesthesia, structures located in the intraconal space can be accidentally hit leading to complications such as described in the above report. Following the technical guidelines and using appropriate size needles may reduce the risk of such complication, but not completely.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A anestesia peribulbar surgiu como uma opção mais segura quando comparada com o bloqueio retrobulbar intraconal. Ainda assim, a anestesia peribulbar não pode ser considerada isenta de riscos. Inúmeras complicações foram descritas quando da aplicação dessa técnica. O presente relato tem como objetivo descrever um caso raro caracterizado por amaurose e paralisia contralaterais quando da tentativa de se fazer a anestesia peribulbar. Relato de caso: Paciente masculino, 75 anos, estado físico ASA II, submetido à facectomia por facoemulsificação com implante de lente intraocular. Sedado com fentanil e midazolam e submetido a APB. Não houve intercorrências durante a cirurgia. Após o término do procedimento o paciente relatou ausência de visão no olho contralateral. Foram observadas acinesia da musculatura inervada pelo III e VI pares cranianos, ptose palpebral e pupilas de tamanho médio, não responsivas ao estímulo luminoso. Após quatro horas da anestesia, houve recuperação completa da visão, da movimentação das pálpebras e do globo ocular não operado. Conclusões: Durante a APB, estruturas localizadas no espaço intraconal podem ser atingidas acidentalmente levando a complicações como a descrita no relato acima. O respeito às diretrizes técnicas e o uso de agulhas com o tamanho adequado podem reduzir o risco de tal complicação, mas não de forma completa.

Sutura de tração permanente para tratamento de paralisia congênita de III nervo / Permanent treatment suture for the treatment of congenital nerve palsy of III nerve

Resumo A paralisia do terceiro nervo craniano representa o estrabismo paralítico de tratamento mais complexo e desafiador. Os casos de paralisia completa III par incitam o uso de certas técnicas de cirurgia de estrabismo destinadas a manter o olho voltado para a posição primária do olhar (PPO). Entretanto, as possibilidades terapêuticas são limitadas e complexas e o tratamento cirúrgico tende a hipocorreção e recorrências frequentes a longo prazo.O envolvimento completo e congênito do terceiro nervo craniano requer cirurgias para a exotropia, hipotropia e ptose.Dentre as técnicas cirúrgicas já descritas, optou-se pela realização de uma modificação da técnica cirúrgica de recuo-ressecção, que deu-se em único tempo cirúrgico, sendo suficiente para alcançar o objetivo estético. Este trabalho relata o resultado positivoda manutenção de sutura de tração à carúncula para tratamento cirúrgico de estrabismo paralítico congênito de nervo oculomotor de longa data.

Abstract Paralysis of the third cranial nerve represents the most complex and challenging paralytic squint. The cases of complete III nerve paralysis encourages the use of certain strabismus surgery techniques in order to keep eye in primary position of gaze. However, the therapeutic possibilities are limited and complex and the surgical treatment tends to hypocorrection and frequent recurrences in the long term. Complete and congenital involvement of the third cranial nerve requires surgeries for exotropia, hypotropia and ptosis. Among the surgical techniques already described, we choose a modification of the surgical technique of recession-resection, which occurred in a single surgical time, being suffice to achieve aesthetic objective. This paper reports the positive result of the maintenance of caruncle traction suture as surgical treatment of congenital III nerve paralysis.

Neurological Manifestations Among US Government Personnel Reporting Directional Audible and Sensory Phenomena in Havana, Cuba.

Importance: From late 2016 through August 2017, US government personnel serving on diplomatic assignment in Havana, Cuba, reported neurological symptoms associated with exposure to auditory and sensory phenomena. Objective: To describe the neurological manifestations that followed exposure to an unknown energy source associated with auditory and sensory phenomena. Design, Setting, and Participants: Preliminary results from a retrospective case series of US government personnel in Havana, Cuba. Following reported exposure to auditory and sensory phenomena in their homes or hotel rooms, the individuals reported a similar constellation of neurological symptoms resembling brain injury. These individuals were referred to an academic brain injury center for multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment. Exposures: Report of experiencing audible and sensory phenomena emanating from a distinct direction (directional phenomena) associated with an undetermined source, while serving on US government assignments in Havana, Cuba, since 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures: Descriptions of the exposures and symptoms were obtained from medical record review of multidisciplinary clinical interviews and examinations. Additional objective assessments included clinical tests of vestibular (dynamic and static balance, vestibulo-ocular reflex testing, caloric testing), oculomotor (measurement of convergence, saccadic, and smooth pursuit eye movements), cognitive (comprehensive neuropsychological battery), and audiometric (pure tone and speech audiometry) functioning. Neuroimaging was also obtained. Results: Of 24 individuals with suspected exposure identified by the US Department of State, 21 completed multidisciplinary evaluation an average of 203 days after exposure. Persistent symptoms (>3 months after exposure) were reported by these individuals including cognitive (n = 17, 81%), balance (n = 15, 71%), visual (n = 18, 86%), and auditory (n = 15, 68%) dysfunction, sleep impairment (n = 18, 86%), and headaches (n = 16, 76%). Objective findings included cognitive (n = 16, 76%), vestibular (n = 17, 81%), and oculomotor (n = 15, 71%) abnormalities. Moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss was identified in 3 individuals. Pharmacologic intervention was required for persistent sleep dysfunction (n = 15, 71%) and headache (n = 12, 57%). Fourteen individuals (67%) were held from work at the time of multidisciplinary evaluation. Of those, 7 began graduated return to work with restrictions in place, home exercise programs, and higher-level work-focused cognitive rehabilitation. Conclusions and Relevance: In this preliminary report of a retrospective case series, persistent cognitive, vestibular, and oculomotor dysfunction, as well as sleep impairment and headaches, were observed among US government personnel in Havana, Cuba, associated with reports of directional audible and/or sensory phenomena of unclear origin. These individuals appeared to have sustained injury to widespread brain networks without an associated history of head trauma.

[Giant cell arteritis of the vertebrobasilar system, posterior ischemia and palsy of the third nerve. Report of one case]. / Arteritis de células gigantes en el sistema vertebrobasilar, isquemias cerebelo-occipitales y parálisis III par. Caso clínico.

Giant cell arteritis is the most common vasculitis in patients aged over 50 years. We report an 89-year-old woman with significant weight loss and persistent frontal-occipital headaches lasting two months. The neurological examination at admission identified a decrease in visual acuity of the left eye, paralysis of the third cranial nerve of the right eye and alterations of body motility without objective signs of damage of the motor or sensitive pathways. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes of the temporal artery wall and in both vertebral arteries, as well as bilateral cerebellar and occipital ischemic lesions. The Doppler ultrasound of the temporal arteries was compatible with Giant cell arteritis. Treatment with steroids was started. While receiving oral prednisone, the patient suffered new infarcts of the posterior territory, documented with a CAT scan.