| Abstract | Acquired isolated unilateral or bilateral blepharoptosis has many aetiologies. When the pupils are normal, a myasthenic syndrome or myopathy has to be ruled out. If the tests for myasthenia gravis are negative, the next step is to perform a muscle biopsy to establish a diagnosis. Muscle examination may show a mitochondrial disorder, non-specific abnormalities or be quite normal. We identified three patients, who had previously undergone various investigations, including a muscle biopsy, whose lid ptosis disappeared using eye drops containing naphazoline nitrate, a sympathomimetic drug, thus suggesting partial Horner's syndrome. We emphasise the usefulness of this simple and cheap test before performing more traumatic and expensive investigations. |
| Authors | G Tomelleri, G Vattemi, M Filosto, P Tonin
(Affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, Section of Clinical Neurology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy. giuliano.tomelleri at univr.it)
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| Journal | Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
(J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry)
Vol. 78
Issue 6
Pg. 632-4
(Jun 2007)
ISSN: 1468-330X England |
| PMID | 17287241
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Naphazoline
|
| Topics |
- Administration, Topical
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
(administration & dosage, diagnostic use)
- Adult
- Aged
- Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
(complications, diagnosis)
- Blepharoptosis
(etiology)
- Diagnostic Errors
- Female
- Horner Syndrome
(complications, diagnosis)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muscular Diseases
(diagnosis)
- Naphazoline
(administration & dosage, diagnostic use)
- Ophthalmic Solutions
(administration & dosage)
|
