In adults Horner's syndrome may be caused by a number of health conditions which can be effectively treated. Treatment for Horner's syndrome is largely dependent on the underlying cause which triggers the condition. Diagnostic imaging tools such as an MRI are sometimes used to give doctors a picture of the damage to the facial nerve or pocket. This allows the doctor to further confirm the diagnosis of Horner's syndrome by examining how the pupils respond to light. If symptoms of Horner's syndrome are noted in the exam the doctor may use special eye drops to dilate the baby's pupils. Diagnosis of Horner's SyndromeĪ baby's pediatrician will typically make a diagnosis of Horner's syndrome based on a clinical examination alone. Both of these tools, but particularly obstetrical forceps, can subject the baby's head and face to increased pressure and increase the potential for facial nerve damage. The cup is fitted to the baby's head and the pump is used to create vacuum suction and seal the cup to the baby's head. Vacuum extractors have a special suction cup with a handle that attaches to a pump. The cups are designed to fit around and grip the baby's head so that the doctor can maneuver them through the birth canal. Forceps look like a large pair of salad tongs with spoon-like metal cups at the end. The primary birth assistance instruments used in modern delivery rooms are obstetrical forceps and vacuum extractor pumps. A prolonged labor will also increase the chance of facial nerve damage during delivery.Īnother common source of trauma during childbirth that can damage facial nerves and caused Horner's syndrome is the use of birth assistance instruments. The larger the baby and/or more narrow the birth canal the more significant this pressure will be. When the baby is pushed head-first through the narrow birth canal the crown of the head and sides of the face are often subjected to significant pressure. Facial nerve damage is one of the most common types of physical injury occurring during vaginal childbirth. About 65% of all Horner's syndrome cases are connected to birth trauma. Physical trauma to a baby's face during childbirth is the leading cause of facial nerve injuries resulting in Horner's syndrome. Injury to the nerve can result from external physical trauma or from internal events such as a stroke or carotid artery damage. What is much more varied is the source of the injury to the nerve. The brain uses these nerves to control the eyes so when one of the nerves is damaged it interferes with the brain's communication pathway to the eye. Horner's syndrome is caused by injury or damage to one of the sympathetic nerves running down either side of the face. The biomechanics of Horner's syndrome are fairly well understood. In infants the eye affected by Horner's syndrome will often have a lighter color pigmentation that the other. The affected eye may also have a somewhat sunken appearance in comparison to the other eye and the pupil will not expand in dim light conditions.
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