[The painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome (its differential diagnosis)]

Upon the analysis of literature data and original experience, the authors suggest that painful ophthalmoplegia (PO) is rather a syndrome than a disease. The most prevalent PO syndromes are characterized clinically. PO patients need a purposeful examination to identify the underlying disease. It is the latter that should be treated first of all. Early administration of corticosteroids in PO without careful examination of patients is not justified. The scheme of such examination is presented.