Brown's syndrome

When Brown syndrome (synonym: Superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome) is a rare, congenital or acquired disorder of the eye movement. Is named the disease after the U.S. American ophthalmologist Harold Whaley Brown, who first described it in 1950.

Symptoms

Symptom is a limitation of movement of the eye, caused by an abnormal thickening of the tendon of the superior oblique muscle (upper oblique eye muscle ) or in congenital cases by a Fehlinnervation. This muscle has to roll as a function of the current viewing direction of the function to reduce the eye to the inside and to rotate outwardly.

Through the thickening of the muscle or its tendon can not move completely through the trochlea, cartilage sheath on the inner, upper margin of the orbit. The eye thus experiences both a passive and an active, mechanically induced, motility. Also by the traction test ( passive mobility ) this can not be overcome. Generally there is diplopia. Disorders exist more frequently in the middle and upper visual field areas, less in the lower half of the field of view.

Etiology

Trigger of acquired Brown 's syndrome are often trauma or allergic reactions and rheumatism. In a specific method of eye muscle surgery ( superior oblique folding) may result in a typical symptomatology, which is referred to as postoperative Brown syndrome in rare cases also.

There are also congenital variants. Recent MRI -based test series allow for the thesis that in some cases as a cause Fehlinnervation of the superior oblique muscle could come into question by fibers of the oculomotor nerve. So this would be the group of congenital cranial Fehlinnervations syndromes ( " Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders - CCDD " ) to assign

Therapy

The extent of the movement disorder can be very different. A treatment is therefore not necessary in all cases to consider, depending on the symptoms. There are surgical treatment options when indicated. Drug- administration of ibuprofen has been shown to be potentially effective.

Differential Diagnosis

One distinguishes the Brown syndrome with its persistent symptoms of superior oblique click syndrome with intermittent symptoms and complaints.

Celebrities Affected

Supposedly Alexander the Great suffered from this disorder. This was hypothesized in the 90s by Greek scientists because of statues of the commander.