[Claude Bernard-Horner syndrome and its opposite, Pourfour du Petit syndrome, in anesthesia and intensive care].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To analyse cases of Horner's syndrome (HS) and its opposite, Pourfour du Petit's syndrome (PPS), occurring in anaesthesia and intensive therapy with consideration of the data of current literature.

DATA SOURCES:

For this paper we have reviewed the French, English and German literature published in anaesthesia and intensive care journals using Medline search and the current textbooks.

STUDY SELECTION:

All observational studies on these syndromes, whether clinical cases or letters to the editor, form the basis for this article.

DATA EXTRACTION:

The articles were analysed mainly with regard to diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of syndromes due to iatrogenic causes.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

HS is caused by a paralysis of the ipsilateral sympathetic cervical chain and includes a ptosis of the upper eyelid, a slight elevation of the lower lid, a sinking of the eyeball, a constriction of the pupil, a narowing of the palpebral fissure, a nasal stuffiness associated with anhidrosis, and flushing of the affected side of the face. Regional anaesthesia (intra-oral anaesthesia, brachial plexus block, epidural anaesthesia whether by thoracic, lumbar or caudal approach, as well as interpleural analgesia) is the main anaesthetic cause for HS. HS due to the effect of a local anaesthetic is transient, it can precede a high spinal block and a cardiovascular collapse. HS from puncture of the internal jugular vein is most often permanent. When transient, HS regresses within 3 months after puncture. Other causes of HS include intraoperative posture, pleural drain, neck surgery, neck trauma. A mydriatic collyrium, such as phenylephrine, resolves ptosis for less than 1 hour and results in blurred vision from pupillary dilation. Major ptosis requires surgery. PPS is the reciprocal HS and is caused by a stimulation of the ipsilateral sympathetic cervical chain. PPS can precede HS. It carries a risk for conjunctivitis, keratitis and epiphora in case of major exophthalmia. PPS is often reported as an unilateral mydriasis. PPS has the same causes as HS. Myotic collyriums are relatively inefficient. Major lid retraction requires a tarsorraphy, pomades and nocturnal lid occlusion. A part of HS and most PPS occurring in anaesthesia and intensive care remain unrecognized or are recognized with delay, especially if they remain minor and transient or when they occur in unconscious patients, in horizontal posture.

• Authors: P Ségura, C Speeg-Schatz, J M Wagner, O Kern
• Journal: Annales francaises d'anesthesie et de reanimation (Ann Fr Anesth Reanim) Vol. 17 Issue 7 Pg. 709-24 ( 1998) ISSN: 0750-7658 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Le syndrome de Claude Bernard-Horner et son contraire, le syndrome de pourfour du petit, en anesthésie-réanimation.
• PMID: 9750809 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anesthesia (adverse effects)
• Blepharoptosis (etiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Enophthalmos (etiology)
• Female
• Horner Syndrome (etiology)
• Humans
• Iatrogenic Disease
• Infant
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mydriasis (etiology)
• Neurologic Examination
• Postoperative Complications
• Reflex, Pupillary
• Resuscitation (adverse effects)
• Superior Cervical Ganglion (injuries)
• Syndrome