title: Torsional nystagmus in hypothalamic hamartoma.
abstract: Torsional nystagmus was noted in a patient with hypothalamic hamartoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an exophytic hypothalamic mass extending into the pre-pontine cistern and abutting ventral mesencephalon. The quickphase of the torsional nystagmus was directed towards the left side, ipsilateral to the side of compression by the hamartoma. Ipsi-lesionally directed pure torsional nystagmus in this case is attributed to the compressive lesion of ocular motor structures responsible for the neural integration of torsional and vertical eye movements, the interstitial nucleus of Cajal. [Published with video sequences].
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Aasef G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Shaikh
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis
keywords: epilepsy; interstitial nucleus of Cajal; mesencephalon; neural integrator; riMLF