MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Horner’s syndrome

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Horner’s syndrome

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

Central nervous system

Definition Return to top

Horner's syndrome is caused by injury to the sympathetic nerves of the face. It is characterized by a constricted pupil, drooping eyelid (ptosis), and facial dryness.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

There are many potential causes of Horner's syndrome. It can be caused by any interruption of the sympathetic nerve fibers, which start in the hypothalamus (a central brain region) and run via the upper spinal cord near the carotid artery to the face.

Sympathetic nerve fiber injuries can result from a stroke in the brainstem, injury to the carotid artery, a tumor in the upper lobe of the lung, and cluster headaches.

Rarely, Horner's syndrome may be congenital (present at birth) and associated with a lack of pigmentation of the iris (colored part of the eye). Eye drops and certain medications may also lead to this condition.

Symptoms Return to top

Symptoms may include drooping of the eyelid, constriction of the pupil, and decreased sweating on the affected side of the face. These symptoms may vary. Other symptoms associated with the underlying cause may also occur.

Signs and tests Return to top

A careful neurological exam is necessary to establish the diagnosis and to find the cause by determining which, if any, other parts of the nervous system are affected. Tests may include:

MRI of the head
Carotid ultrasound
Chest X-ray
CT scan of the chest
Blood tests
Angiogram
Eye drop tests

Treatment Return to top

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. There is no specific treatment for Horner's syndrome itself.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Prognosis is dependent on whether treatment of the underlying cause is successful.

Complications Return to top

There are no direct complications of Horner's syndrome itself, but complications may be associated with the underlying disease or its treatment.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms that may be linked with Horner's syndrome.

Update Date: 7/2/2004

Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.