An unusual case of Parinaud's syndrome

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Nov 21:2012:bcr2012006722. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006722.

Abstract

A 25-year-old man presented with blurred vision, headache and dizziness. On questioning, there was also a history of a preceding diarrhoeal illness. Initial investigations were normal. However, after a week, he represented with a Parinaud's syndrome. In view of the preceding diarrhoea, the transient unsteadiness and the areflexia on examination, anti-GQ1b antibodies were requested. The resulting titre was positive confirming the suspected diagnosis of Miller Fisher syndrome. He responded to intravenous immunoglobulins with full resolution of his symptoms and signs. Although various unusual neuro-ophthalmological signs have been reported localising to the brainstem, to our knowledge, this is the first case report of Parinaud's syndrome being the presenting symptom of Miller Fisher syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Brain / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Dizziness / etiology
  • Gangliosides / immunology
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / immunology
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / immunology
  • Vision Disorders / etiology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Gangliosides
  • GQ1b ganglioside