Usefulness of MR imaging in children without characteristic clinical findings of Duane's retraction syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS) consists of a congenital abduction deficit of the eyeball accompanied by retraction of the globe on attempted adduction and by upshoots or downshoots of the affected eye on adduction. These characteristic diagnostic signs of DRS, however, might not be manifested in early childhood. We evaluated the usefulness of MR imaging as a diagnostic tool in such cases.

METHODS

Thin-section gradient-echo imaging at the brain stem level was performed in two pediatric patients with only abduction deficit and 10 control children. Imaging findings were analyzed focused on the presence or absence of the abducens nerve.

RESULTS

The abducens nerve on the affected side was absent in three of three affected eyes in two patients. The right and left abducens nerves were well identified in all 10 control subjects.

CONCLUSION

MR imaging is useful for the differential diagnosis of abduction deficit of the eyeball in pediatric patients. The absence of the abducens nerve suggests DRS strongly in children with abduction deficit.