Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41331592›Full record

ArticleBMC neurology2025

Clinical characteristics of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Feng Liang, Shanglin Li, Qian Wang

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Article in BMC neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Feng LiangDepartment of Neurology, the First Hospital of Tsinghua University, No. 6, Jiuxianqiao Yijie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100016, China. Fliang16@163.com.
Shanglin LiDepartment of Neurology, the First Hospital of Tsinghua University, No. 6, Jiuxianqiao Yijie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100016, China.
Qian WangDepartment of Neurology, the First Hospital of Tsinghua University, No. 6, Jiuxianqiao Yijie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100016, China. wangqian32@hotmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM), a globally prevalent metabolic disease, affects the nervous system through multiple mechanisms, leading to cranial neuropathies. Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is a rare disorder that, when occurring in diabetic patients, may present with clinical manifestations that overlap with diabetic cranial neuropathy (DCN), increasing the risk of misdiagnosis and delaying corticosteroid treatment. This study aims to systematically analyze the clinical characteristics of THS in diabetic patients and explore optimal management strategies.

methodsThis study conducted a retrospective analysis, integrating data from previously published cases and cases diagnosed at our center. Inclusion criteria were based on the diagnostic standards for THS outlined in the ICHD-3, while cases with other potential causes of headache and ophthalmoplegia were excluded. Data collected included baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, treatment regimens, and therapeutic outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test, t-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

resultsA total of 19 cases of diabetes-associated THS were included (11 males, 8 females), with males presenting at a significantly younger age than females (P = 0.041). All patients experienced severe headaches, 89.47% had ptosis, 94.73% exhibited ophthalmoplegia, and 15.79% presented with facial sensory disturbances. Eight patients were initially misdiagnosed with DCN and received neurotrophic therapy without improvement, but they responded rapidly to corticosteroid treatment. All patients showed significant symptom improvement within six days of corticosteroid administration. Methylprednisolone and dexamethasone demonstrated therapeutic effects comparable to prednisone, though symptom resolution was slightly delayed in the prednisone group.

conclusionThe clinical features of diabetes-associated THS include severe headache, ptosis, and ophthalmoplegia, which can be easily confused with DCN. Corticosteroid therapy demonstrated high efficacy in this cohort. Clinicians should consider the possibility of THS in diabetic patients presenting with ptosis and ophthalmoplegia to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure timely corticosteroid treatment, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Indexed as

Diabetes MellitusTolosa-Hunt SyndromeAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesCorticosteroidsDiabetes mellitusDiabetic cranial neuropathyMisdiagnosisTolosa-Hunt syndrome

Identifiers

PMID41331592
PMCPMC12777367

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