Neurocysticercosis presenting as a vertical one-and-a-half syndrome with associated contralesional horizontal gaze paresis.

We describe a patient presenting with vertical one-and-a-half syndrome and concomitant contralesional horizontal gaze paresis as the result of a solitary neurocysticercosis (NCC) lesion in the right midbrain extending into the thalamomesencephalic junction. The patient received an albendazole-dexamethasone course which resulted in resolution of his symptoms. The neuro-ophthalmological complications of NCC are reviewed and the clinical topography of the neuro-ophthalmological findings of this unusual observation are discussed.

Paroxysmal tonic upgaze presenting as a clinical isolated syndrome.

We report a 3.5-year-old boy with sudden onset of episodic upward deviation of the eyes that led to diagnosis of paroxysmal tonic upgaze. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed right-hand side dominant bilateral hyperintense lesions in the mesencephalon and the thalamus on T2-weighted images. These lesions suggested a demyelinating pathology. Corticosteroid treatment was started. The episodes of upward eye deviation and the lesions on magnetic resonance imaging completely resolved after 3 days and 3 months, respectively. After 2 years of follow-up, he was symptom-free. Our patient with an isolated brain stem syndrome and no mental status changes was diagnosed as having a clinical isolated syndrome.

Ocular jellyfish stings.

BACKGROUND: Corneal stings from the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay are usually painful but self-limited injuries, with resolution in 24 to 48 hours. METHODS: Five patients who developed unusually severe and prolonged iritis and intraocular pressure elevation after receiving corneal sea nettle stings were followed for 2 to 4 years. RESULTS: Decreased visual acuity, iritis, and increased intraocular pressure (32 to 48 mmHg) were noted in all cases. Iritis responded to topical corticosteroids and resolved within 8 weeks. Elevated intraocular pressure responded to topical beta blockers and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Mydriasis (4 of 5 cases), decreased accommodation (2 of 5 cases), peripheral anterior synechiae (2 of 5 cases), and iris transillumination defects (3 of 5 cases) also were noted. Mydriasis and decreased accommodation persisted for 5 months in 1 case and for more than 2 years in another. One patient has chronic unilateral glaucoma. Visual acuity returned to normal in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The precise relationship between sea nettle venom and the observed clinical responses is not known. Corneal jellyfish stings usually produce a brief and self-limited reaction, but they do have the potential for long-term sequelae.