Möbius syndrome: clinico-radiologic correlation.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Möbius syndrome presents with abducens and facial nerve palsy.
• Previous evaluations of cranial nerve presence/absence on MRI in Möbius syndrome are incomplete.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanism of Möbius syndrome.
• To correlate abducens and facial nerve presence on MRI with clinical features.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of nine Möbius syndrome patients (2004-2015).
• Analysis of MR imaging for abducens and facial nerve presence/absence.
• Correlation with neuro-ophthalmologic clinical features.

Main Results:

• Facial palsy and abduction limitation were often bilateral but variable and asymmetric.
• MRI revealed bilateral absence of abducens and facial nerves in most cases (6/9).
• Partial or unilateral nerve absence was noted in other cases; only one patient had both nerves visualized.

Conclusions:

• Absence of abducens and facial nerves on MRI strongly correlates with clinical findings in Möbius syndrome.
• MRI is a valuable diagnostic tool for Möbius syndrome, confirming nerve presence or absence.