Neuroimaging experience in pediatric Horner syndrome
Nadja Kadom1, N Paul Rosman, Shams Jubouri
1Department of Radiology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 820 Harrison Ave., FGH Building, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA, nkpiano@gmail.com.
Pediatric Radiology
|April 3, 2015
Summary
Pediatric Horner syndrome (HS) can stem from serious conditions like cancer. Imaging the entire oculo-sympathetic pathway is recommended for children with HS to identify treatable causes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroradiology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Horner syndrome (HS) in children is rare, with unclear malignancy prevalence.
- Optimal imaging strategies for pediatric HS remain undefined.
- The role of advanced imaging in diagnosing pediatric HS is uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review imaging findings in children diagnosed with Horner syndrome.
- To identify pathologies associated with pediatric Horner syndrome.
- To evaluate the spectrum of causes for Horner syndrome in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of CT and MR imaging studies.
- Analysis of 38 pediatric patients with Horner syndrome over 22 years.
- Correlation of imaging findings with clinical diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Six of 38 patients had relevant imaging findings.
- Identified etiologies included neoplastic (neuroblastoma, astrocytoma), vascular, maldevelopmental, and inflammatory/traumatic causes.
- Malignancies were found at various levels of the oculo-sympathetic pathway.
Conclusions:
- Treatable conditions, including malignancies, are significant causes of pediatric Horner syndrome.
- Comprehensive imaging of the entire oculo-sympathetic pathway is warranted for pediatric HS.
- Clinical assessment may guide the extent of imaging required.
