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

Abstract Background Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON) are rare diseases reported within the “Painful lesions of the cranial nerves” section of the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3rd edition (ICHD-3). In case of a first painful atta...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniele Frattini, Alessandro Iodice, Carlotta Spagnoli, Susanna Rizzi, Carlo Alberto Cesaroni, Michela Cappella, Carlo Fusco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-11-01
Series:Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-023-01541-5
_version_ 1797414490240712704
author Daniele Frattini
Alessandro Iodice
Carlotta Spagnoli
Susanna Rizzi
Carlo Alberto Cesaroni
Michela Cappella
Carlo Fusco
author_facet Daniele Frattini
Alessandro Iodice
Carlotta Spagnoli
Susanna Rizzi
Carlo Alberto Cesaroni
Michela Cappella
Carlo Fusco
author_sort Daniele Frattini
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON) are rare diseases reported within the “Painful lesions of the cranial nerves” section of the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3rd edition (ICHD-3). In case of a first painful attack, differential diagnosis could be challenging and many pitfalls are due to the rarity of the disorders and the lack of information about correct medical management in youngsters. Case presentation Our main purpose was to report a new case of THS and a new case of RPON describing management and diagnostic investigation at the time of the first episode. In both cases of THS (13 years old) and RPON (14 years old) a unilateral periorbital headache associated with acute onset of ipsilateral third cranial nerve paresis, scarcely responding to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), was present at the beginning of the first attack. Brain MRI with "time-of-flight" (TOF) angiography and the need to administer steroids (after 72 h from onset) in order to stop pain were the most important handles allowing us to adopt the correct management both in THS or RPON since onset and to face recurrences in RPON by avoiding useless therapy during follow-up. Conclusion Unilateral periorbital headache associated with third-fourth or sixth cranial nerve paresis should ideally be investigated with a full work-up, comprehensive of brain MRI with TOF angiography since the first attack. In cases with negative brain MRI spontaneous resolution should be considered and watchful waiting might be advisable before starting steroid therapy.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T05:34:01Z
format Article
id doaj.art-f701b0d0d6544ac9b9a2e4caba8c42a4
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1824-7288
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T05:34:01Z
publishDate 2023-11-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Italian Journal of Pediatrics
spelling doaj.art-f701b0d0d6544ac9b9a2e4caba8c42a42023-12-03T12:31:04ZengBMCItalian Journal of Pediatrics1824-72882023-11-014911510.1186/s13052-023-01541-5Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?Daniele Frattini0Alessandro Iodice1Carlotta Spagnoli2Susanna Rizzi3Carlo Alberto Cesaroni4Michela Cappella5Carlo Fusco6Child Neurology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova Hospital - IRCCSChild Neuropsychiatry Unit, S. Chiara Hospital, APSSChild Neurology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova Hospital - IRCCSChild Neurology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova Hospital - IRCCSChild Neurology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova Hospital - IRCCSPediatric Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova Hospital - IRCCSChild Neurology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova Hospital - IRCCSAbstract Background Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy (RPON) are rare diseases reported within the “Painful lesions of the cranial nerves” section of the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3rd edition (ICHD-3). In case of a first painful attack, differential diagnosis could be challenging and many pitfalls are due to the rarity of the disorders and the lack of information about correct medical management in youngsters. Case presentation Our main purpose was to report a new case of THS and a new case of RPON describing management and diagnostic investigation at the time of the first episode. In both cases of THS (13 years old) and RPON (14 years old) a unilateral periorbital headache associated with acute onset of ipsilateral third cranial nerve paresis, scarcely responding to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), was present at the beginning of the first attack. Brain MRI with "time-of-flight" (TOF) angiography and the need to administer steroids (after 72 h from onset) in order to stop pain were the most important handles allowing us to adopt the correct management both in THS or RPON since onset and to face recurrences in RPON by avoiding useless therapy during follow-up. Conclusion Unilateral periorbital headache associated with third-fourth or sixth cranial nerve paresis should ideally be investigated with a full work-up, comprehensive of brain MRI with TOF angiography since the first attack. In cases with negative brain MRI spontaneous resolution should be considered and watchful waiting might be advisable before starting steroid therapy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-023-01541-5Case reportPaediatric headacheTolosa-Hunt syndromeOphthalmoplegic migraineRecurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy
spellingShingle Daniele Frattini
Alessandro Iodice
Carlotta Spagnoli
Susanna Rizzi
Carlo Alberto Cesaroni
Michela Cappella
Carlo Fusco
Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?
Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Case report
Paediatric headache
Tolosa-Hunt syndrome
Ophthalmoplegic migraine
Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy
title Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?
title_full Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?
title_fullStr Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?
title_full_unstemmed Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?
title_short Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy, case reports: what to do and when?
title_sort tolosa hunt syndrome and recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy case reports what to do and when
topic Case report
Paediatric headache
Tolosa-Hunt syndrome
Ophthalmoplegic migraine
Recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-023-01541-5
work_keys_str_mv AT danielefrattini tolosahuntsyndromeandrecurrentpainfulophthalmoplegicneuropathycasereportswhattodoandwhen
AT alessandroiodice tolosahuntsyndromeandrecurrentpainfulophthalmoplegicneuropathycasereportswhattodoandwhen
AT carlottaspagnoli tolosahuntsyndromeandrecurrentpainfulophthalmoplegicneuropathycasereportswhattodoandwhen
AT susannarizzi tolosahuntsyndromeandrecurrentpainfulophthalmoplegicneuropathycasereportswhattodoandwhen
AT carloalbertocesaroni tolosahuntsyndromeandrecurrentpainfulophthalmoplegicneuropathycasereportswhattodoandwhen
AT michelacappella tolosahuntsyndromeandrecurrentpainfulophthalmoplegicneuropathycasereportswhattodoandwhen
AT carlofusco tolosahuntsyndromeandrecurrentpainfulophthalmoplegicneuropathycasereportswhattodoandwhen