Diagnostic value of imaging in horner syndrome in adults.

BACKGROUND: The yield of imaging in Horner syndrome has been explored only in children. This study evaluates the yield of imaging in adults. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 52 patients with Horner syndrome examined in 2 neuro-ophthalmology hospital clinics. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the ability to determine the etiology at the time of the first neuro-ophthalmology consultation: group I, etiology of Horner syndrome known at the initial neuro-ophthalmologic examination; group II, etiology of Horner syndrome not known at the initial neuro-ophthalmologic examination, but sufficient information obtained to allow targeted imaging; and group III, etiology of Horner syndrome not known at the initial neuro-ophthalmologic examination, and sufficient information not obtained to allow targeted imaging. The yield of investigation and the frequency of the different etiologies were evaluated. RESULTS: In 32 (62%) patients, the etiology was already known at the initial neuro-ophthalmologic examination (group I). The most prevalent etiology was surgical trauma. In 11 (21%) patients, a targeted imaging workup was possible, revealing an etiology in 7 patients (group II). Carotid dissection and cavernous sinus mass were the most common etiologies. In 9 (17%) patients, a nontargeted imaging evaluation was necessary, revealing an etiology in only 1 patient, who had a previously undetected thyroid malignancy (group III). CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of Horner syndrome is usually known at the time of initial presentation to a neuro-ophthalmologist. When the etiology is not known and clinical information permits a targeted imaging evaluation, an etiology can usually be determined, most commonly a cervical carotid artery dissection or a cavernous sinus mass. When the etiology is not known and clinical information is insufficient to allow a targeted imaging evaluation, an etiology is rarely discovered. Even so, nontargeted imaging is warranted because life-threatening lesions, such as thyroid malignancies, may rarely be detected.

Neuroimaging strategies for three types of Horner syndrome with emphasis on anatomic location.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to review the anatomy of the oculosympathetic pathway, to describe the clinical characteristics of the three types of Horner syndrome, and to illustrate underlying pathologic features with an emphasis on neuroimaging strategies based on three symptom complexes. CONCLUSION: Horner syndrome results from interruption of the oculosympathetic pathway and is usually associated with unique clinical features classified into central, preganglionic, and postganglionic types according to the anatomic location of the underlying pathologic process.

Horner syndrome.

Horner syndrome refers to the constellation of signs resulting from the interruption of sympathetic innervation to the eye and ocular adnexae. Classically, the clinical findings include a triad of ipsilateral blepharoptosis, pupillary miosis, and facial anhidrosis. The history, additional clinical examination features, and pharmacologic testing may help localize the lesion and suggest an etiology. An appropriate evaluation of Horner syndrome and a timely elucidation of the etiology may allow for a potentially life-saving intervention.

Síndrome de horner: estudio retrospectivo de 94 pacientes evaluados en la Unidad Neuro-Oftalmología del Hospital Vargas de Caracas (1980-2000) / Horner syndrome: retrospective study of 94 evaluted patients in the Neuro Ofthalmology Unit Hospital Vargas of Caracas (1980-2000)

Los rasgos clínicos del Síndrome de Horner (SH) debido a una interrupción de la vía simpática a cualquier nivel, son familiares para muchos médicos, en especial oftalmólogos, neurólogos e internistas, quienes enfrentan con mayor frecuencia a pacientes con la clásica cuarteta de ptosis, miosis, enoftalmos relativo y anhidrosis. Siendo que está constituido por signos clínicos muy sutiles, es frecuente que en la práctica pase desapercibido, en gran medida por el bajo indicio de sospecha del especialista, por el desconocimiento de la semántica de su búsqueda y aún, por ligereza o ignorancia durante la exploración semiológica, es por ello que otros diagnósticos pueden enmascarar la real condición. El problema parece ser complicado por el hecho de la falta de síntomas, pues sólo una mínima proporción de los casos presenta dolor (Síndrome de Horner doloroso). A lo largo de 20 años estudiamos retrospectivamente los antecedentes, características clínicas y causas en 94 pacientes con síndrome de horner evaluados en la Unidad de Neuro Oftalmología del Hospital Vargas de Caracas y en la consulta privada de dos de los autores (RMM, MR). El SH post ganglionar fue el más frecuente (51 por ciento), seguido del SH pre ganglionar (31 por ciento), congénito (9 por ciento), central (7 por ciento) y dos casos de degeneración transináptica (2 por ciento). Las tres causas principales de SH fueron: neoplasias (20 por ciento), cefalea, en salvas (18 por ciento) y complicaciones quirúrgicas (10 por ciento). Las neoplasias malignas predominaron sobre las benignas en una relación de 9:1, siendo a su vez mayoritarias en la localización post ganglionar debido al elevado número de neoplasias del seno cavernoso que obtuvimos. Este último hallazgo nos obliga incluir el cáncer en el diagnóstico diferencial de todos los síndromes de horner, tanto pre como post ganglionares y a dirigir nuestros sentidos en la dirección de su búsqueda

EL PIRALVEX - BERNA EN EL TRATAMIENTO GINGIVAL

El piralvex- Berna es un producto de fácil aplicación - Porla idicación de la casa productora se debe aplicar solamente en pincelaciones - No debe ser aplicado por un tiempo mayor de 3 minutos en las bolsas patológicas porque provoca aumento de infiltrado inflamatorio - El piralvex-Berna tiene evidente acción bacterecida, como lo acreditan los examenes de laboratorio - De los 13 casos tratados 7 fueron dados de alta, con la desaparición de la secreción y 4 con la desaparición del proceso inflamatorio