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The orbicularis oculi reflex: pathologic studies in childhood

S A Clay, J C Ramseyer

    Neurology
    |September 1, 1977
    PubMed

    Insights

    The orbicularis oculi reflex is a valuable tool for diagnosing brain stem diseases in children. This reflex test showed abnormalities in most children with brain stem gliomas, similar to adult findings.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Neurology
    • Neuroscience
    • Ophthalmology

    Background:

    • Brain stem gliomas and posterior fossa pathologies can significantly impact neurological function in children.
    • The orbicularis oculi reflex is a well-established neurological examination component.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the utility of the orbicularis oculi reflex in diagnosing brain stem diseases in pediatric patients.
    • To compare reflex alterations in children with brain stem gliomas to those with other posterior fossa pathologies and to normal childhood values.

    Main Methods:

    • Studied the orbicularis oculi reflex in 12 children with intrinsic brain stem gliomas.
    • Included six children with other posterior fossa pathology for comparison.
    • Compared results against established childhood normal values.

    Main Results:

    • Seventy-eight percent of the studied children exhibited a pathologic alteration of the orbicularis oculi reflex.
    • The observed alterations were comparable to those previously reported in adult patients.
    • This suggests a consistent pattern of reflex dysfunction across age groups for similar pathologies.

    Conclusions:

    • The orbicularis oculi reflex test is a simple and risk-free procedure for evaluating brain stem disease in children.
    • Abnormalities in this reflex are indicative of underlying brain stem pathology in pediatric populations.
    • This diagnostic method offers valuable insights into neurological function in children with posterior fossa conditions.

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