Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41922524›Full record

ArticleJournal of neurology2026

Superior oblique myokymia: diagnostic criteria and long-term outcome.

Johannes Gerb, Andreas Zwergal, Nicole Lehrer, Nedda Hansel, Marius Näher, Franziska Thiessen, Marianne Dieterich, Doreen Huppert

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Johannes GerbGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. Johannes.gerb@med.uni-muenchen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5053-1462
Andreas ZwergalGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Nicole LehrerGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Nedda HanselGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Marius NäherGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Franziska ThiessenGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Marianne DieterichGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Doreen HuppertGerman Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft EXC 2145 SyNergyDeutsche Stiftung Neurologie 80721017Deutsche Stiftung Neurologie 80766113
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSuperior oblique myokymia (SOM) is a rare disorder characterized by brief episodes of high-frequency, low-amplitude monocular nystagmus frequently caused by vascular contact with the trochlear nerve. Comprehensive analyses of SOM symptomatology and long-term progression are limited. No diagnostic criteria are available.

methodsAdult patients who were diagnosed with SOM between 2008 and 2024 were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire on disease symptomatology, time course, and medication. The impact of the disease on patient-reported functioning was assessed using a Likert scale. In addition, medical records were screened in all patients.

resultsA total of 35 patients with SOM were identified (21 females; mean age at symptom onset 42.8 ± 15.0 years). 30 patients experienced visuo-perceptual symptoms (i.e., diplopia or oscillopsia, 85.7%), 22 patients ocular motor symptoms (i.e., noticeable "eye-twitching", 62.9%), and 15 patients dizziness or gait instability (42.9%). Of 22 patients analyzed for their long-term therapeutic outcome, 13 described symptom improvement with pharmacotherapy, and six without pharmacotherapy. Patients experienced a moderate to high impact of the disease on their daily private and professional lives. Based on these findings, specific diagnostic criteria for SOM were proposed.

conclusionsSOM can substantially impair patients' quality of life and daily functioning. The long-term course appears favorable, with most patients experiencing either complete remission or significant symptom reduction over time. Pharmaceutical treatment proved effective in nearly 90% of patients, and spontaneous remission was also observed. Further research should focus on larger patient cohorts defined by clear diagnostic criteria to enhance understanding of SOM's natural history and treatment outcomes.

Indexed as

MyokymiaTrochlear Nerve DiseasesAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNystagmus, PathologicOcular Motility DisordersYoung AdultDiplopiaNystagmusOscillopsiaSuperior oblique myokymiaVertigoVisual disorder

Identifiers

PMID41922524
PMCPMC13043566

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.