[Paroxysmal upgaze deviation syndrome]

Leandro Sousa1, Sergio Gonorazky

  • 1Hospital Privado de Comunidad de Mar del Plata, Argentina. leandro-d-sousa@hotmail.com

Insights

Benign paroxysmal tonic upgaze syndrome involves episodes of upward eye deviation in infants. This condition typically resolves spontaneously but requires ruling out secondary causes, especially in cases like Down Syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Benign paroxysmal tonic upgaze syndrome (BPTUS) was first described in 1988.
  • Characterized by paroxysmal upgaze deviation episodes in early infancy.

Observation:

  • Episodes occur without altered consciousness and resolve during sleep.
  • Fixation nystagmus is noted on downward gaze.
  • Neurological examination is typically normal, barring mild ataxia.

Findings:

  • The idiopathic form of BPTUS tends toward spontaneous recovery.
  • Secondary forms of BPTUS necessitate careful evaluation due to varied prognoses.
  • Two cases are presented, including one patient with Down Syndrome, to analyze clinical features and differential diagnoses.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of differentiating idiopathic BPTUS from secondary causes.
  • Emphasizes the need for thorough clinical assessment in infants presenting with upgaze abnormalities.
  • Contributes to understanding the clinical spectrum and management of BPTUS, particularly in syndromic cases.

Related Concept Videos

Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Visual Agnosia01:12

Visual Agnosia

Visual agnosia is a condition characterized by the inability to recognize visually presented objects despite having normal vision. For instance, a person with visual agnosia can describe the shape and color of an object but cannot identify or name it. This impairment does not affect their visual field, acuity, color vision, brightness discrimination, language, or memory. An example of this condition in a social setting is someone at a dinner party asking for "that silver thing with a round end"...
Equilibrium and Balance01:15

Equilibrium and Balance

The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...
Prosopagnosia01:24

Prosopagnosia

Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...