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Table 1 Diagnostic criteria for Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome and Recurrent Painful and Ophthalmologic Neuropathy according to ICHD-3

From: Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?

 

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome

Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy

DESCRIPTION

Unilateral orbital or periorbital pain associated with paresis of one or more between the 3rd, 4th and/or 6th cranial nerves caused by a granulomatous inflammation in the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure or orbit

Repeated attacks of paresis of one or more ocular cranial nerves (commonly the 3rd), with ipsilateral headache

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

A. Unilateral orbital or periorbital headache fulfilling criterion C

A. At least two attacks fulfilling criterion B

B. Both of the following:

B. Both of the following:

1. granulomatous inflammation of the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure or orbit, demonstrated by MRI or biopsy

1. unilateral headache

2. ipsilateral paresis of one, two or all three ocular motor nerves

2. paresis of one or more of the ipsilateral the 3rd, 4th and/or 6th cranial nerves

C. Orbital, parasellar or posterior fossa lesion has been excluded by appropriate investigation

C. Evidence of causation demonstrated by both of the following:

D. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

1. headache is ipsilateral to the granulomatous inflammation

2. headache has preceded paresis of the the 3rd, 4th and/or 6th nerves by ≤ 2 weeks, or developed with it

D. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

COMMENTS

Some reported cases of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome had additional involvement of the 5th nerve (commonly the first division) or optic, 7th or 8th nerves. Sympathetic innervation of the pupil is occasionally affected

Some data suggest that headache can develop up to 14 days prior to ocular motor paresis

Gadolinium enhancement or nerve thickening can be demonstrated using MRI

Careful follow-up is required to exclude other causes of painful ophthalmoplegia such as tumours, vasculitis, basal meningitis, sarcoid or diabetes mellitus

Pain and paresis of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome resolve when adequately treated with corticosteroids