Internuclear ophthalmoplegia: causes and long-term follow-up in 65 patients

Acta Neurol Scand. 2004 Sep;110(3):161-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2004.00278.x.

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the causes and long-term clinical outcome of internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) in a consecutive series of 65 patients.

Patients and methods: From a clinical registry of a neuroophthalmological department, patients with diagnosis of INO were retrospectively identified. Patients were classified into three groups: unilateral INO, bilateral INO, and one-and-a-half syndrome.

Results and conclusions: Thirty-three men (50.8%) and 32 women (49.2%), with a mean age of 38.4 years were included in the study. INO was unilateral in 36 patients (55.4%), bilateral in 22 (33.8%) and one-and-a-half syndrome in seven (10.8%). The most common causes were vascular (36.9%), multiple sclerosis (32.3%), and infectious diseases (13.8%). Resolution of INO was documented in 32 patients (49.2%): 15 patients showed INO resolution during the first 3 months and 17 patients in 3-9 months. INO persisted in 33 patients (50.8%) even after a follow-up longer than 12 months.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Basilar Artery / physiopathology
  • Brain Stem / pathology
  • Brain Stem / physiopathology*
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / complications
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Communicable Diseases / complications
  • Communicable Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cranial Nerves / pathology
  • Cranial Nerves / physiopathology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Neurocysticercosis / complications
  • Neurocysticercosis / pathology
  • Neurocysticercosis / physiopathology
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / etiology*
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / pathology
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Oculomotor Muscles / innervation
  • Oculomotor Muscles / physiopathology*
  • Recovery of Function / physiology
  • Retrospective Studies