Marcus Gunn Syndrome - A Rare Neural Misdirection Phenomenon Case Report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Neurology
• Genetics and Congenital Disorders

Background:

• Marcus Gunn phenomenon (MGP) is a rare congenital condition affecting 4-6% of patients with congenital ptosis.
• MGP is characterized by synkinetic eyelid elevation with jaw movement, often linked to neural redirection.

Observation:

• A 45-year-old male presented with severe dental caries.
• The patient exhibited normal vision and synchronous eyelid-lip movement, consistent with MGP.
• The condition was diagnosed as autosomal dominant MGP with incomplete penetrance.

Findings:

• Dental caries were treated with routine fillings.
• No surgical intervention was required for MGP or dental issues.
• Patient's dental pain resolved post-treatment.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering MGP in patients with synkinetic movements.
• Demonstrates successful non-surgical management of dental issues in MGP patients.
• Suggests MGP may be an example of neural redirection syndrome involving the trigeminal nerve.