Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia (pronunciation: /ˌɪntərˈnjuːklɪər ˌɒfθælməˈpliːdʒiə/) is a disorder characterized by the impairment of eye movements, specifically horizontal gaze, due to a lesion in the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF).
Etymology
The term "internuclear ophthalmoplegia" is derived from the Latin words "inter" meaning between, "nucleus" referring to the brainstem nuclei, "ophthalmos" meaning eye, and "plegia" meaning paralysis.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of internuclear ophthalmoplegia is the inability to move the eyes horizontally in the same direction (conjugate gaze). This is often accompanied by nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eyes, in the abducting eye. Other symptoms may include diplopia (double vision), and vertigo (a sensation of feeling off balance).
Causes
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia is most commonly caused by a lesion in the MLF, a bundle of nerve fibers that coordinates eye movements. This lesion is often due to multiple sclerosis in younger patients, and stroke or brainstem infarction in older patients.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of internuclear ophthalmoplegia is typically made through a neurological examination, specifically observing the patient's eye movements. Further diagnostic tests may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the location and cause of the lesion.
Treatment
Treatment for internuclear ophthalmoplegia primarily involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This may involve medication or therapy for multiple sclerosis, or interventions to manage stroke or brainstem infarction.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
- Wikipedia's article - Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski