Two-muscle surgical treatment of a compensatory head tilt in an adult with acquired downbeat nystagmus. Issue 2 (4th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vinson, Daniel; Kopel, Jonathan; Keshvani, Caezaan; Lee, James; Freedman, Kenn
• Is Part Of: Proceedings. Volume 36:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 246
• Page End: 248
• Publication Date: 2023-03-04
• Subjects: Downbeat nystagmus -- infantile nystagmus -- Kestenbaum-Anderson -- vertical nystagmus; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2023.2165314
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8280

Abstract

Abstract: Kestenbaum-Anderson–like operations have proven beneficial in treatment of compensatory head tilt in patients with infantile nystagmus. However, their use in acquired vertical nystagmus in adults with head tilt has rarely been reported. Presented here is a case of a 52-year-old woman with acquired downbeat nystagmus with a significant head tilt who responded to a simple two-muscle surgery involving the superior recti. Cyclovertical muscle surgery should be considered a viable option in such patients who are refractory to medical intervention. Additionally, it appears that four-muscle vertical muscle recessions (two muscles per eye) may not be necessary to dampen vertical nystagmus since good results can be obtained with a single muscle recession bilaterally.