Tolosa-Hunt: Case Report

Abstract

Context: Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome (STH) is a rare condition with unknown etiology, it affects both genders equally. It is manifested by inflammation of the cavernous sinus and involvement of some cranial nerves pairs. Case report: MSR, 39 years, male, diver in the mining zone, history of recurrent otitis with acute pain and gradual hearing loss that progressed. He was admitted to the General Hospital of Palmas with symptoms of retrorbital headache. After physical exams it was found an ophthalmoplegia with right amaurosis and ipsilateral pain. The neurological examination showed a right eye with loss of photomotor reflex and presence of consensual reflex and eyelid ptosis. After 38 days in hospital, a probable septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus was found, antibiotic and corticosteroids therapy was initiated. The patient also reports significant improvement in headache and partially in vision, he is currently hospitalized with clinical care and antibiotic therapy, awaiting results of the image examination report. Conclusions: Painful ophthalmoplegia in most cases is not diagnosed as STH. The differential diagnosis for this pathology is most often through brain magnetic ressonance and the ICHD-3 beta diagnostic criteria, STH should be suspected, but it is still necessary to close the diagnosis by exclusion, due to the lack of a specific diagnosis.