Neck Procedures Resulting in Horner Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: 

To report cases of Horner syndrome caused by interventions in the neck region.

Methods: 

Retrospective chart review and focused literature search.

Results: 

Six cases of Horner syndrome caused by neck procedures were identified. The study included 5 women and 1 man, ranging in age from 37 to 79 years old. Procedures included coronary artery bypass surgery with neck catheter, carotid endarterectomy, cervical and thoracic sympathectomy, parathyroid surgery, and 2 cases of cervical spine fusion surgery.

Conclusions: 

Physicians should be aware that procedures involving the neck, even relatively minor ones, may be a cause of Horner syndrome. In the evaluation of patients with newly diagnosed Horner syndrome, it is important to obtain the history of prior surgeries or procedures involving the neck that may identify a cause of sympathetic denervation and etiology of Horner syndrome.

In Brief

Although the more well-known causes of Horner syndrome are central nervous system, lung and sympathetic chain tumors, and carotid dissection, the authors report a series of cases in which oculosympathetic paresis resulted from interventional procedures in the neck.