[Comments on Cogan's syndrome (congenital oculomotor apraxia) based on a case].

Abstract

CASE:

A 4-month-old girl was seen by a paediatrician for psychomotor delay and defective visual fixation. In order to shift gaze direction, she had to jerk her head in order to drag her eyes in the direction she wanted to look. She also showed non-specific pyramidal impairment. Herpes human virus type 6 (HHV-6) was amplified by PCR. No other findings could explain her troubles with fixation. She was diagnosed with congenital ocular motor apraxia (C.O.M.A.).

DISCUSSION:

When C.O.M.A. is suspected, other causes of defective fixation and abnormal cephalic movements must be ruled out through the use of physical examination, electrophysiology and neuroimaging: troubles with ocular motility, poor vision or neurological processes. There have been cases associated with neurological misdevelopment, systemic diseases, metabolic deficits and chromosomic abnormalities.

• Authors: L De Benito, P Merino, P Gómez de Liaño, G Franco, J Herrera
• Journal: Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol) Vol. 79 Issue 4 Pg. 189-92 (Apr 2004) ISSN: 0365-6691 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Consideraciones sobre el síndrome de Cogan (apraxia oculomotora congénita) a partir de un caso.
• PMID: 15124077 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Apraxias (diagnosis, etiology)
• Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Neurologic Examination
• Ocular Motility Disorders (congenital)
• Oculomotor Muscles (physiopathology)
• Saccades
• Syndrome