Recurrent Tolosa Hunt Syndrome, After Cervical Spine Surgery: Case Report

Abstract

Background and Importance: Tolosa hunt syndrome (THS) is a rare ophthalmoplegia that occurs in one person per million people. Clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and a good response to steroids are used to diagnose THS. Case Presentation:We present a 59-year-old man with right ophthalmodynia and ophthalmoplegia after cervical laminectomy and surgical site infection (SSI). After the first course of low-dose dexamethasone, the patient’s symptoms relapsed within a short time. During the second course of treatment, high-dose dexamethasone was administered. The symptoms were treated without relapse within one year. Conclusion: Infection, such as SSI, can trigger THS. Also, high-dose dexamethasone and longer treatment periods can prevent short-term recurrence of THS.

Keywords

• tolosa hunt syndrome (ths)
• cranial nerve palsy
• laminectomy
• ophthalmoplegia
• surgical site infection (ssi)