Horner's syndrome

Named after Johann F. Horner (1831 to 1886), Swiss anatomist

Synonyms: Horner’s trias, Horner’s complex, Horner’s symptom complex, oculopupillary syndrome
German: Horner Syndrom

	Table of contents
	1. Definition 2. Pathogenesis 3. Symptoms 4. Diagnostics

Definition

The Horner’s syndrome is a combination of symptoms consisting of miosis, ptosis and enophthalmos, which may have various causes.

Pathogenesis

The Horner’s syndrome is normally caused by the paralysis of the smooth eye ((muscle]]s innervated by the sympathetic system. The main causes are, besides traumas, brain stem infarcts, Pancoast tumors or any other damage of the stellate ganglion.

Symptoms

Horner’s syndrome is defined by the three following symptoms:

• Miosis
  • Failure of the musculus dilatator pupillae
• Ptosis
  • Failure of the musculus tarsalis superior
• Enophthalmos
  • As the case may be, failure of the musculus orbitalis
    

(other sources considers this as an artifact; due to the existing ptosis, the eyeball only seems to be sunk in)

Diagnostics

The diagnostics normally adopted are visual diagnostics as a well as observation after administration of certain drugs (cocaine equivalents), which usually causes a lack of, or alleviated, mydriasis.