Ophthalmoplegia and cranial nerve deficits in an adolescent with headache

Abstract

Tolosa–Hunt syndrome is an idiopathic, inflammatory condition involving the cavernous sinus and is characterized by unilateral, painful ophthalmoparesis. The condition often begins with retro-orbital pain followed by select cranial nerve involvement. We report the case of a 17-year-old female whose presentation with progressive left-sided headache and ophthalmoparesis culminated in the diagnosis of Tolosa–Hunt syndrome. While many of her signs and symptoms have been previously reported in the rare pediatric cases of Tolosa–Hunt syndrome described in the literature, this case illustrates a unique presentation involving cranial nerves V and VII in addition to the more commonly reported cranial nerve III, IV, and VI palsies.