Objectives: The aim of the study is to review the articles published in the last 10 years on Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) in childhood and adolescence to learn about its clinical and epidemiological characteristics and its therapeutic management.
Methods: Based on the literature search in the major medical databases and using the descriptors "Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and children" and "Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and adolescent" we included articles published between 2009 and 2019. We found 51 articles, but only 11 met the inclusion criteria.
Results: There were eight women and four men with THS, whose average age was 12.0 ± 4.3 years, ranging from 4 to 17 years. Magnetic resonance imaging showed inflammation in the cavernous sinus (100%), orbit (25%), and superior orbital fissure (8.3%), unilateral in all patients. The internal carotid artery (58.3%), third (66.7%), sixth (33.3%), and fourth (25%) cranial nerves were injured. Headache was located in the orbital region, ipsilaterally to nerve involvement and had mild to severe intensity. Corticosteroid was the treatment used in 91.7% of the patients. They were followed for an average of 13.4 ± 12.4 months. Only two patients had recurrence of the disease.
Conclusion: THS is infrequent in childhood and adolescence and knowledge of its clinical and epidemiological characteristics and its therapeutic management is necessary for pediatricians.
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