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Mühlendyck H, Ehrt O. [Brown's atavistic superior oblique syndrome: etiology of different types of motility disorders in congenital Brown's syndrome]. Ophthalmologe 2020; 117:1-18. [PMID: 31720845 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-019-00988-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
CLINICAL FEATURES The congenital Brown syndrome is characterized by a mechanical limitation of elevation in adduction, with an orthophoria in down gaze. Brown postulated a shortened superior oblique tendon sheath as the cause of the limitation but this was disproved by Parks et al. in 1975 and the origin of Brown syndrome remains unclear. In recent years, a congenital dysinnervation has been discussed; however, this does not explain the full spectrum of abnormalities and especially contradicts the unlimited depression in adduction seen in Brown syndrome. ORIGIN Surgical exploration in Brown true typical cases reveals a fibrotic strand, typically located at the posterior margin of the superior oblique tendon. This strand originates from the trochlear area and has a common insertion with the superior oblique tendon posterior to the equator into the globe. It may represent an atavistic superior oblique muscle as described by Fink in various animals. They do not have a trochlea but a superior oblique muscle originating in the anterior superior nasal orbit. ATYPICAL BROWN SYNDROME A fibrotic strand was also surgically revealed in two cases of atypical Brown syndrome. In the first case an elevation deficit-as in Brown true atypical cases-also present in abduction could be explained by an unusual insertion of the fibrotic strand anterior to the equator. The second case showed a fibrotic strand which was completely separated from the superior oblique tendon and inserted far posterior to the equator nasal to the superior rectus muscle. This finding had not been previously described and explained the total elevation restriction which was suddenly in > 30° adduction and the Y‑pattern exotropia which increased in adduction and decreased in abduction. TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP A 10 mm excision of the fibrotic strand from the insertion gives the best results from all procedures. The residual limitation of active elevation in adduction improved with gaze exercises mostly after more than 1 year. CONCLUSION The fibrotic strand, an atavistic superior oblique muscle, not only explains the typical Brown syndrome but also-by its variable insertion-different patterns of elevation deficits seen in atypical Brown syndrome. A 10 mm excision of the strand gives good functional results of abnormal head position (immediate in most cases) and even elevation in adduction (after 1 year in most cases).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oliver Ehrt
- Augenklinik, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Mathildenstraße 8, 80336, München, Deutschland
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Yang HK, Kim JH, Kim JS, Hwang JM. Combined Brown syndrome and superior oblique palsy without a trochlear nerve: case report. BMC Ophthalmol 2017; 17:159. [PMID: 28841851 PMCID: PMC5574153 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-017-0553-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital Brown syndrome is characterized by limited elevation particularly during adduction. The pathogenesis of congenital Brown syndrome is still controversial. Case presentation A 6-year-old boy had been tilting his head to the left since infancy. He showed right hypertropia (RHT) of 2 prism diopters (Δ) in the primary position. He showed RHT 6Δ in right gaze, RHT 2Δ in left gaze, RHT 12Δ in right head tilt, and orthotropia in left head tilt. The right eye showed limitation of elevation and depression on adduction, and the left eye showed overdepression on adduction. MR images showed an absent right trochlear nerve with a hypoplastic ipsilateral superior oblique muscle. Conclusions Congenital Brown syndrome may be associated with an absent trochlear nerve and hypoplastic superior oblique muscle suggesting an etiologic mechanism of congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Kyung Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166, Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 463-707, South Korea
| | - Jae Hyoung Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Ji-Soo Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Min Hwang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 166, Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 463-707, South Korea.
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Brodsky MC. Marshall M. Parks Memorial Lecture: Ocular Motor Misbehavior in Children: Where Neuro-Ophthalmology Meets Strabismus. Ophthalmology 2017; 124:835-842. [PMID: 28385301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical diagnosis has been supplemented by neuroimaging advances, genetic discoveries, and molecular research to generate new neurobiological discoveries pertaining to early maldevelopment of ocular motor control systems. In this focused review, I examine recent paradigm shifts that have transformed our understanding of pediatric ocular motor disease at the prenuclear and infranuclear levels. The pathogenesis of complex ocular motor disorders, such as paradoxical pupillary constriction to darkness, benign tonic upgaze of infancy, congenital fibrosis syndrome, and the constellation of unique eye movements that accompany Joubert syndrome, are elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Brodsky
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
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Suh SY, Le A, Demer JL. Size of the Oblique Extraocular Muscles and Superior Oblique Muscle Contractility in Brown Syndrome. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2015; 56:6114-20. [PMID: 26397461 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-17276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study employed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate possible size and contractility changes in the superior oblique (SO) muscle, and possible isometric hypertrophy in the inferior oblique (IO) muscle, resulting from abnormal mechanical loading in Brown syndrome (BrS). METHODS High resolution orbital MRI was obtained in 4 congenital and 11 acquired cases of BrS, and compared with 44 normal subjects. Maximal cross-section areas and posterior partial volumes (PPVs) of the SO were analyzed in central gaze, supraduction, and infraduction [corrected] for the SO, and in central gaze only for the IO. RESULTS In congenital BrS, mean maximum SO cross-sectional areas were 24% and 20% less than normal in affected and unaffected eyes, respectively (P = 0.0002). Mean PPV in congenital BrS was also significantly subnormal bilaterally (29% and 34% less in affected and unaffected eyes, respectively, P = 0.001). However, SO muscle size and volume were normal in acquired cases. The SO muscle did not relax in supraduction in BrS, although there was normal contractile thickening in infraduction. The IO muscle had normal size bilaterally in BrS. CONCLUSIONS Congenital BrS may be associated with SO hypoplasia that could reflect hypoinnervation. However, unique isometric loading of oblique extraocular muscles due to restrictive hypotropia in adduction in BrS is generally not associated with changes in muscle bulk or in SO contractility. Unlike skeletal muscles, the bulk and contractility of extraocular muscles can therefore be regarded as independent of isometric exercise history. Restriction to elevation in BrS typically arises in the trochlea-tendon complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soh Youn Suh
- Department of Ophthalmology David Geffen Medical School at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States 2Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen Medical School at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Alan Le
- Department of Ophthalmology David Geffen Medical School at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States 2Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen Medical School at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States 3Neuroscience
| | - Joseph L Demer
- Department of Ophthalmology David Geffen Medical School at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States 2Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen Medical School at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States 3Neuroscience
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Brown syndrome is an ocular motility disorder characterized by limited volitional and passive elevation of the eye in adduction. Although originally thought due to abnormalities in the trochlea or tendon sheath (limiting the free movement of the tendon through the trochlea), recent evidence suggests that some cases of congenital Brown syndrome may be related to neurodevelopmental abnormalities of the extraocular muscles (congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders, CCDD). RECENT FINDINGS CCDD is a term encompassing congenital abnormalities of eye movements caused by congenital innervational abnormalities. The abnormal development of cranial nerve nuclei or abnormalities in cranial nerve axonal transport affects the development of the extraocular muscle(s). Currently, congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles, Duane syndrome, Moebius syndrome, Horizontal gaze palsy and progressive scoliosis, and synergistic divergence are included as CCDDs. In addition, congenial ptosis, Jaw Wink ptosis, and congenital superior oblique palsy are also included. Recently, it has been suggested that some cases of congenital Brown syndrome and congenital superior oblique paresis are related, and these entities may be part of the CCDDs spectrum. SUMMARY Important findings regarding the cause of congenital Brown syndrome will be reviewed.
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Kim JH, Hwang JM. Magnetic resonance imaging in congenital Brown syndrome. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2015; 253:1385-9. [PMID: 25744329 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-015-2962-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Our aim was to elucidate the etiology of Brown syndrome by evaluating the trochlea position, morphologic characteristics of the extraocular muscles including superior oblique muscle/tendon complex, and the presence of the cranial nerves (CN) III, IV, and VI using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in eight patients with unilateral congenital Brown syndrome and one patient with bilateral congenital Brown syndrome. METHODS Nine consecutive patients diagnosed with congenital Brown syndrome had a comprehensive ocular examination and MRI for the CN III, CN VI, and the extraocular muscles. Five of the nine patients underwent additional high resolution MRI for CN IV. The distance from the annulus of Zinn to the trochlea was measured. RESULTS Normal sized CN III, IV, and VI, as well as all extraocular muscles, could be identified bilaterally in all patients with available MRI. The distance from the annulus of Zinn to the trochlea was the same in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS The findings for our patients, particularly in those who underwent additional high resolution MRI, did not provide evidence of a lack of CN IV as a cause of Brown syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyoung Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Nascimento J, Pinto F. Asymmetric elevation of the eyes. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2014; 53:911-3. [PMID: 24803636 DOI: 10.1177/0009922814533415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- João Nascimento
- Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal / Centro Hospitalar Porto
| | - Fátima Pinto
- Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal / Centro Hospitalar Porto
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Kaeser PF, Brodsky MC. Fourth cranial nerve palsy and Brown syndrome: two interrelated congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders? Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2013; 13:352. [PMID: 23636931 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-013-0352-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Based on neuroimaging data showing absence of the trochlear nerve, congenital superior oblique palsy is now classified as a congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder. A similar absence of the abducens nerve is accompanied by misinnervation to the lateral rectus muscle from a branch of oculomotor nerve in the Duane retraction syndrome. This similarity raises the question of whether some cases of Brown syndrome could arise from a similar synkinesis between the inferior and superior oblique muscles in the setting of congenital superior oblique palsy. This hypothesis has gained support from the confluence of evidence from a number of independent studies. Using Duane syndrome as a model, we critically review the accumulating evidence that some cases of Brown syndrome are ultimately attributable to dysgenesis of the trochlear nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-François Kaeser
- Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, University of Lausanne, Avenue de France 15, 1004, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Ellis FJ, Jeffery AR, Seidman DJ, Sprague JB, Coussens T, Schuller J. Possible association of congenital Brown syndrome with congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders. J AAPOS 2012; 16:558-64. [PMID: 23237754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 08/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders (CCDDs) are known to arise from abnormal development of individual and multiple cranial nerve nuclei or abnormalities in cranial nerve axonal transport. We report our findings for several patients with Brown syndrome in association with other known abnormalities characteristic of CCDDs. METHODS The medical records of patients presenting during a 4-year period with congenital Brown syndrome were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with Brown syndrome confirmed by forced ductions were included in the study if the Brown syndrome was associated with either an abnormal development of the superior oblique muscle or superior oblique paresis, ptosis, Duane syndrome, or other known CCDDs. RESULTS A total of 9 patients with Brown syndrome were identified. Of these, 3 also demonstrated a contralateral superior oblique palsy; 2, a contralateral Duane syndrome; 1, an ipsilateral congenital ptosis; and 3, a moderate to severely hypoplastic ipsilateral superior oblique muscle. CONCLUSIONS Some patients with congenital Brown syndrome are associated with and possibly in the spectrum of CCDDs. We propose that Brown syndrome may be due to abnormal development of the trochlear nerve, which results in physical changes in the superior oblique muscle-tendon-trochlea complex. This results in a tendon that is either long and lax, absent, or abnormally inserted (ie, superior oblique paresis) or a tendon that is restricted in its movements through the trochlea (Brown syndrome).
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Affiliation(s)
- Forrest J Ellis
- Northern Virginia Ophthalmology Associates, Falls Church, Virginia 22044, USA.
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Gräf M, Lorenz B. How to deal with diplopia. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2012; 168:720-8. [PMID: 22986079 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Diplopia is a frequent neuro-ophthalmologic symptom with diverse etiologies. This article describes elementary diagnostic tests and frequent causes of diplopia. Monocular diplopia persists when the other eye is closed and usually disappears when the patient looks through a pinhole. It is usually caused by errors in the optical media of the eye and has to be differentiated from spectacle-induced side effect and non-organic disorders. A sign of non-organic etiology is absence of change in image position when the head is tilted. Binocular diplopia disappears regardless of which eye is closed. Binocular diplopia occurs when the images of both eyes cannot be fused. The most frequent direct cause of diplopia is acquired strabismus. Knowledge of several specific types of strabismus enables efficient patient management. Congenital and decompensating strabismus like accommodative esotropia, pathophoria, strabismus surso- and deorsoadductorius, retraction syndrome, Brown's syndrome and esotropia in high myopia only need ophthalmologic treatment. Orbital injury, orbital tumor, ocular myositis, Graves orbitopathy and vascular disease usually require multidisciplinary management. Neurogenic paresis, superior oblique myokymia, ocular neuromyotonia, myasthenia, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO), internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) and skew deviation require specific neurologic examination. Treatment of diplopia includes treatment of the fundamental disorder, monocular occlusion, prisms and strabismus surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gräf
- Universitaetsklinikum Giessen and Marburg, Giessen Campus, Friedrichstrasse 18, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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