J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2020 Sep;61(9):1100-1103. 10.3341/jkos.2020.61.9.1100.

Acquired Brown Syndrome Secondary to Trochleitis

• Lee SH
• Kim DH
• Yang HK

• KMID: 2506487
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2020.61.9.1100

Abstract

Purpose
We report a patient with acquired Brown syndrome, secondary to trochleitis, who improved after intra-trochlear steroid injection.
Case summary
An 8-year-old boy presented to the hospital with an abnormal chin-up head posture that had onset suddenly three days prior. Ductions and versions showed elevation limitation, particularly during adduction of the left eye. Prism and alternate cover tests revealed 16-18 prism diopters (PD) of left hypotropia, and 6 PD of left exotropia, in the primary position. Pain in the left eye was exacerbated by looking up or looking inward, or with palpation of the left trochlear region. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral pansinusitis and focal swelling with peripheral enhancement in the left trochlear area, leading to a diagnosis of acquired Brown syndrome associated with trochleitis in the left eye. Symptoms were partially relieved by one month of oral steroid therapy; however, the elevation limitation during adduction persisted in the left eye. Intra-trochlear steroid injection was performed in the left trochlear region and the limitation in eye movement gradually improved thereafter.
Conclusions
Intra-trochlear steroid injection facilitates the recovery of eye movement in acquired Brown syndrome secondary to trochleitis.

Keyword

Painful ophthalmoplegia; Trochleitis