Primary aberrant regeneration and neuromyotonia of the third cranial nerve

J Neuroophthalmol. 2006 Dec;26(4):248-50. doi: 10.1097/01.wno.0000249319.27110.26.

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman presented with episodic diplopia with a duration of 6 months. Between the episodes, infraduction of the right eye was mildly impaired with retraction of the right upper lid on downgaze. On resuming the primary position after prolonged left gaze, she developed a right esotropia and reduced abduction, supraduction, and infraduction of the right eye. There was no history of cranial radiation or previous diagnosis of a brain lesion. Brain imaging results were negative. The interictal infraduction deficit and lid retraction were interpreted as signs of a mild right third cranial nerve palsy with primary aberrant regeneration. The episodic esotropia and ductional deficits were considered to be signs of neuromyotonia. This combination of findings, rarely described before, suggests a link between primary aberrant regeneration and neuromyotonia. Abnormal and excessive conduction triggered by stimulation of a partially damaged nerve probably underlies ocular neuromyotonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Eyelid Diseases / diagnosis
  • Eyelid Diseases / etiology
  • Eyelid Diseases / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isaacs Syndrome / complications
  • Isaacs Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Isaacs Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Regeneration*
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / diagnosis
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / etiology
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Oculomotor Muscles / innervation
  • Oculomotor Muscles / physiopathology
  • Oculomotor Nerve / physiopathology*
  • Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / complications
  • Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants