Use of methotrexate in the management of recurrent Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: Two case reports

Review of Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome, Recent Updates

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We aim to present diagnostic considerations and management insights on Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. We highlight recent controversies in this field and emerging literature.

RECENT FINDINGS

The diagnostic categorization of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome remains controversial, with imaging negative cases described in the literature and an increasing literature of secondary causes falsely diagnosed as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Response to steroids can fulfill diagnostic criteria, but newer management strategies are available in treatment-resistant patients, such as steroid-sparing agents or radiotherapy. Tolosa-Hunt syndrome has become controversial; the entity of granulomatous inflammation of the cavernous sinus and possible extension into orbital fissure and posterior orbit of late has been re-evaluated. Recent case series and reviews have outlined multiple false positive (neoplasm or infection) and negative (no imaging findings) diagnoses. In the future, when assessing whether a patient has this entity, we caution readers to closely follow patients for secondary causes and consider this entity in differential even if MRI is non-revealing. Additionally, biopsy should be regarded as a gold standard for diagnosis and utilized, especially in uncertain cases. The diagnostic categorization of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome may need reconsideration in future versions of the ICHD.

Recurrent Tolosa-Hunt syndrome

The Tolosa–Hunt syndrome (THS) is caused by granulomatous inflammation in the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure, or orbit characterized by painful ophthalmoplegia. Here, we report a case of recurrent THS in a 48-year-old female, who initially showed a poor response to low-dose steroids. Each episode involved different cranial nerves and painful ophthalmoplegia. Neuroimaging showed enhancement in the right cavernous sinus. The patient was treated with glucocorticoid pulse therapy and azathioprine. THS was previously considered to be responsive to glucocorticoids. This report demonstrates a case of THS with poor response to steroids and unique presentation of frequent recurrence with different cranial nerve involvement.

Bilateral facial nerve involvement in a patient with Tolosa–Hunt syndrome

Tolosa–Hunt syndrome is characterized by unilateral retro-orbital headaches and cranial nerve palsies, usually involving cranial nerves III–VI. It is rare for other cranial nerves to be involved, although this has previously been reported. We report a 19-year-old woman presenting with typical features of Tolosa–Hunt syndrome but ultimately developing bilateral facial nerve palsies and enhancement of both facial nerves on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient presented with unilateral retro-orbital headaches and palsies of cranial nerves III–VI. She was diagnosed with Tolosa–Hunt syndrome but was non-compliant with her corticosteroid treatment due to side effects. She returned with progressive left followed by right facial nerve palsy. Her corresponding follow-up magnetic resonance imaging scans showed sequential enhancement of the left and right facial nerves. She ultimately had clinical improvement with IV methylprednisolone. To our knowledge, Tolosa–Hunt syndrome associated with bilateral facial nerve palsy and corroborative facial nerve enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging has not previously been described. Moreover, our patient’s clinical course is instructive, as it demonstrates that this atypical presentation of Tolosa–Hunt syndrome can indeed respond to corticosteroid treatment and should not be mistaken for other entities such as Bell’s palsy.