OBJECTIVE

To discuss the clinical presentation and management of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis that presented with multiple cranial neuropathies.

This is a case report.

A 37-year-old female presented with right-sided headache and ipsilateral cranial nerve (CN) I, II, III, IV, and V deficits which improved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Six months later she developed bilateral blurring of vision with pain on eye movement, which progressed to severe bilateral affectation that prompted admission and treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone therapy followed by prolonged oral steroid treatment which was gradually tapered. Recurrence was treated with oral steroids and azathioprine. Diagnostic modalities included an initial cranial contrast computed tomography (CT) scan which was inconclusive; contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clinched the diagnosis, as well as demonstrated thickening of the optic nerve perineurium. Visual field analysis 30-2 as well as optic nerve head optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used to support the diagnosis and document optic nerve affectation. Biologic testing was used to rule out tuberculosis, syphilis, fungal infection, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, polyarteritis nodosa, and rheumatoid arthritis. The patient had complete vision recovery in the left eye but only partial vision recovery in the right eye.

Pachymeningitis should be a diagnostic consideration in patients with headache and multiple cranial neuropathies. Clinicians should always perform independent evaluation of diagnostic modalities with the patient’s clinical presentation in mind. Pachymeningitis can involve the perineurium through contiguous spread of the lesion and present as optic perineuritis as well, with more insidious progression and lasting deficits than isolated optic perineuritis.

This article reports a case of multiple cranial nerve injury after gamma knife radiosurgery treated with acupuncture and moxibustion combined with rehabilitation therapy. The patient presented with weakness of facial and tongue muscles, hoarseness, choking on water, and swallowing difficulties. The syndrome was attributed to qi and blood deficiency, and blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. The treatment principle focused on replenishing qi and blood, promoting blood circulation and unblocking collaterals. Yintang (GV24⁺), Lianquan (CV23), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), and Cuanzhu (BL2), Yangbai (GB14), Jingming (BL1), Sizhukong (TE23), Yingxiang (LI20), Sibai (ST2), Juliao (ST3), Quanliao (SI18), Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), Xiaguan (ST7), Taiyang (EX-HN5) on the affected side, bilateral Jinjin (EX-HN12), Yuye (EX-HN13), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Tianshu (ST25) were selected. Among these, bilateral Jinjin (EX-HN12) and Yuye (EX-HN13) were treated with pricking, Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6) on the affected side were connected to an electroacupuncture device, and warming acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV4). Rehabilitation therapy and electromyographic biofeedback were also incorporated. The treatments were given 2-3 times a week. After 18 months of intermittent treatment, the patient reported significant improvement, House Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade was Ⅳ, and Sunnybrook facial nerve rating scale score was 53 points. After 2-month of follow-up, the patient reported normal swallowing ability and restored social engagement.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cranial Nerve Diseases/therapy*

BACKGROUND: The laryngeal mask airway (LMAⓇ) Protector™ (Teleflex Medical Co., Ireland) is the latest innovation in the second generation of LMA devices. One distinguishing feature of this device is its integrated, color-coded cuff pressure indicator (Cuff ™ technology) which enables continuous cuff pressure monitoring and allows adjustments when necessary; this ensures patient safety due to better monitoring.CASE: We report a case of postoperative unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy after uncomplicated use of the LMA Protector. To the best of our knowledge, this could be the second reported case.CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that anesthetists need to routinely measure cuff pressure and that the Cuff Pilot™ technology is not a panacea for potential cranial nerve injury after airway manipulation.
Cranial Nerve Injuries ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Laryngeal Masks ; Patient Safety

PURPOSE: To understand the ophthalmic clinical features and outcomes of facial nerve palsy patients who were referred to an ophthalmic clinic for various conditions like Bell's palsy, trauma, and brain tumor. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 34 eyes from 31 facial nerve palsy patients who visited a clinic between August 2007 and July 2017. The clinical signs, management, and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The average disease period was 51.1 ± 20.6 months, and the average follow-up duration was 24.0 ± 37.5 months. The causes of facial palsy were as follows: Bell's palsy, 13 cases; trauma, six cases; brain tumor, five cases; and cerebrovascular disease, four cases. The clinical signs were as follows: lagophthalmos, 24 eyes; corneal epithelial defect, 20 eyes; conjunctival injection, 19 eyes; ptosis, 15 eyes; and tearing, 12 eyes. Paralytic strabismus was found in seven eyes of patients with another cranial nerve palsy (including the third, fifth, or sixth cranial nerve). Conservative treatments (like ophthalmic ointment or eyelid taping) were conducted along with invasive procedures (like levator resection, tarsorrhaphy, or botulinum neurotoxin type A injection) in 17 eyes (50.0%). Over 60% of the patients with symptomatic improvement were treated using invasive treatment. At the time of last following, signs had improved in 70.8% of patients with lagophthalmos, 90% with corneal epithelium defect, 58.3% with tearing, and 72.7% with ptosis. The rate of improvement for all signs was high in patients suffering from facial nerve palsy without combined cranial nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS: The ophthalmic clinical features of facial nerve palsy were mainly corneal lesion and eyelid malposition, and their clinical course improved after invasive procedures. When palsy of the third, fifth, or sixty cranial nerve was involved, the prognosis and ophthalmic signs were worse than in cases of simple facial palsy. Understanding these differences will help the ophthalmologist take care of patients with facial nerve palsy.
Bell Palsy ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Cranial Nerves ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Eyelids ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Paralysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Strabismus ; Tears

Upon review, it is noted that recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON) is a rare neurological syndrome characterized by recurrent unilateral headaches and painful ophthalmoplegia of the ipsilateral oculomotor nerve. As seen on brain MRI, thickening and enhancement of the oculomotor cranial nerve can be observed in these cases. We experienced a case of RPON in an adult patient who showed thickening and enhancement of the oculomotor nerve on gadolinium-enhanced 3D-FLAIR image. The authors report a case of RPON with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Brain ; Cranial Nerves ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Oculomotor Nerve ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Paralysis

No abstract available.
Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Cranial Nerves ; Hoarseness ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ; Vocal Cord Paralysis

PURPOSE: To report a case of pituitary apoplexy presenting as isolated bilateral oculomotor nerve palsy. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old male presented with bilateral ptosis and acute severe headaches for 6 days. He underwent head surgery and bilateral vitrectomy 12 years prior to his visit because of ocular and head trauma. He mentioned that previous visual acuities in both eyes were not good. The initial corrected visual acuity was finger counting in the right eye and 20/500 in the left eye. Ocular motility testing revealed the limitation of adduction, supraduction, and infraduction with complete bilateral ptosis in both eyes, and his left pupil was dilated. He was diagnosed with an isolated bilateral oculomotor nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated pituitary gland hemorrhage with a tumor, which was suspicious of pituitary apoplexy. The patient was treated intravenous with 1.0 g methylprednisolone to prevent the corticotropic deficiency. In addition, he underwent surgical decompression using a navigation-guided transsphenoidal approach and aspiration biopsy. He was confirmed with pituitary adenoma using a pathological examination. The patient's ocular movements began to dramatically improve by the third day postoperatively. At 4 months postoperative follow-up, his ocular movement and double vision were completely recovered. CONCLUSIONS: This was a rare case of pituitary apoplexy with bilateral isolated oculomotor nerve palsy, which was the first report in the Republic of Korea. A full recovery was achieved after early surgical treatment.
Biopsy, Needle ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Decompression, Surgical ; Diplopia ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; Middle Aged ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases ; Oculomotor Nerve ; Pituitary Apoplexy ; Pituitary Gland ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Pupil ; Republic of Korea ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To investigate the types and clinical features of neurological diseases after head trauma. METHODS: From March 2010 to December 2018, a total of 177 patients were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features of neurological ophthalmic diagnoses and frequencies, the types of head injuries, and the prognoses. RESULTS: Cranial nerve palsy was the most common (n = 63, 35.6%), followed by traumatic optic neuropathy (n = 45, 25.4%), followed by optic disc deficiency, ipsilateral visual field defect, Nystagmus, skewing, ocular muscle paralysis between nuclei, and Terson syndrome. Neuro-ophthalmic deficits occurred in relatively strong traumas accompanied by intracranial hemorrhage or skull fracture. However, convergence insufficiency and decompensated phoria occurred in relatively weak trauma such as concussion. The prognoses of the diseases were poor (p < 0.05) for traumatic optic neuropathies and visual field defects. The prognoses of neurological diseases were poor if accompanied by intracranial hemorrhages or skull fractures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After head trauma, various neuro-ophthalmic diseases can occur. The prognosis may differ depending on the type of the disease, and the strength of the trauma may affect the prognosis.
Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Diagnosis ; Head ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Ocular Motility Disorders ; Optic Nerve Injuries ; Paralysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull Fractures ; Strabismus ; Visual Fields

OBJECTIVE: Bilateral cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSdAVF) is very rare, even in Asian countries. The research intended to present clinical and radiologic outcomes of treating such fistulas through endovascular embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was obtained from 220 consecutive patients, with CSdAVF, who were treated from January 2004 to December 2015. Bilateral CSdAVF was identified in 17 patients (7.7%). The clinical and radiologic outcomes of the fistulas were assessed with an emphasis on the technical aspects of treatment. RESULTS: At the time of treatment, 7 and 10 patients presented with bilateral and unilateral symptoms, respectively. In the former cases, 4 patients had progressed from unilateral to bilateral symptoms. Bilateral fistulas were treated with a single-stage transvenous embolization (TVE) in 15 patients, via bilateral inferior petrosal sinuses (IPS) (n = 9) and unilateral IPS (n = 6). In the other 2 patients with one-sided dominance of shunting, only dominant fistula was treated. Two untreated lesions were found on follow-up to have spontaneously resolved after treatment of the dominant contralateral fistula. Of the 34 CSdAVF lesions, complete occlusion was achieved in 32 lesions after TVE. Seven patients (41.2%) developed worsening of cranial nerve palsy after TVE. During the follow-up period, 4 patients obtained complete recovery, whereas the other 3 remained with deficits. CONCLUSION: With adjustments of endovascular procedures to accommodate distinct anatomical configurations, endovascular treatment for bilateral CSdAVF can achieve excellent angiographic occlusion results. However, aggravation of symptoms after TVE may occur frequently in bilateral CSdAVF. In the patients with one-sided dominance of shunt, treatment of only dominant fistula might be an alternative option.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cavernous Sinus* ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Endovascular Procedures ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans

Cranial nerve palsies are relatively common after trauma, but trochlear nerve palsy is relatively uncommon. Although traumatic trochlear nerve palsy is easy to diagnose clinically because of extraocular movement disturbances, radiologic evaluations of this condition are difficult to perform because of the nerve's small size. Here, we report the case of a patient with delayed traumatic trochlear nerve palsy associated with a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the related radiological findings, as obtained with high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 63-year-old woman was brought to the emergency room after a minor head trauma. Neurologic examinations did not reveal any focal neurologic deficits. Brain computed tomography showed a traumatic SAH at the left ambient cistern. The patient complained of vertical diplopia at 3 days post-trauma. Ophthalmologic evaluations revealed trochlear nerve palsy on the left side. High-resolution 3D MRI, performed 20 days post-trauma, revealed continuity of the trochlear nerve and its abutted course by the posterior cerebral artery branch at the brain stem. Chemical irritation due to the SAH and the abutting nerve course were considered causative factors. The trochlear nerve palsy completely resolved during follow-up. This case shows the usefulness of high-resolution 3D MRI for evaluating trochlear nerve palsy.
Brain ; Brain Stem ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Diplopia ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Examination ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic* ; Trochlear Nerve Diseases* ; Trochlear Nerve*