Acute sensorimotor polyneuropathy with tonic pupils and an abduction deficit: an unusual presentation of polyarteritis nodosa

Surv Ophthalmol. 1999 Jan-Feb;43(4):341-4. doi: 10.1016/s0039-6257(98)00047-2.

Abstract

A tonic pupil may occur in isolation or as part of a systemic disorder. We report a patient who developed tonic pupils and an abduction deficit in the setting of polyarteritis nodosa. The combination of a tonic pupil and an abduction deficit should suggest the possibility of a vasculopathic disorder, because the ciliary ganglion and lateral rectus muscle are both supplied by the lateral muscular artery. Widespread small artery and arteriolar narrowing and occlusion are the hallmarks of polyarteritis nodosa. Unusual ischemic syndromes may occur, such as this rare combination of neuro-ophthalmic signs, by involvement of both the nutrient artery and its collaterals. We are unaware of other reports of neuropathic tonic pupils in association with polyarteritis nodosa.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Biopsy
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Smooth / pathology
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / diagnosis
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / drug therapy
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / etiology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / complications*
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / diagnosis
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / drug therapy
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Sural Nerve / pathology
  • Tonic Pupil / diagnosis
  • Tonic Pupil / drug therapy
  • Tonic Pupil / etiology*

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone
  • Methylprednisolone