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Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
A Toddler With Uncontrollable Shaking After a Minor Fall
1From the *Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Residency Program, and †Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Insights
A toddler with neuroblastoma experienced uncontrollable shaking and eye movements, diagnosed as opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. This rare condition, often misdiagnosed, highlights the importance of recognizing its neurological signs in pediatric emergency care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder.
- It can be paraneoplastic, often associated with neuroblastoma in children.
- Early recognition is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract:
A toddler with a closed head injury six days prior to admission, recently diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome and acute otitis media presented to our emergency department with complaint of uncontrollable shaking of the head and extremities. Physical examination demonstrated dancing movements of the eyes and truncal ataxia, concerning for the diagnosis of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging study was consistent with a retroperitoneal mass that was confirmed as neuroblastoma by metaiodobenzylguanidine scan and later surgical resection. We present this case, accompanied by a video of the patient, to help the emergency physician recognize this rare and often misdiagnosed syndrome.
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