MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Spasmus nutans

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

Spasmus nutans

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

Definition

Spasmus nutans is a specific type of pendular nystagmus of infancy accompanied by head bobbing and occasionally by abnormal position of the neck.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Spasmus nutans involves a triad of symptoms which includes horizontal, vertical, or pendular nystagmus (fine, rapid jerking of the eyes back and forth, and from side to side), head nodding, and head tilting.

Most cases begin between age 4 months and 1 year. It usually goes away by itself in several months to years. Less commonly it may be associated with other causative conditions. Rarely, symptoms like those of spasmus nutans may be produced by tumors in the optic chiasm or third ventricle of the brain.

Symptoms

Nystagmus (fine, rapid jerking of the eyes from side to side)
Head nodding
Head tilting

Signs and tests

A neurologic examination confirms the presence of the symptoms.

Tests may include:

CT scan of the head
MRI scan of the head

Treatment

The benign form of spasmus nutans requires no treatment. Other conditions causing spasmus nutans must be treated individually.

Expectations (prognosis)

Usually, there is a spontaneous resolution.

Complications

There are usually no complications.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child has nystagmus, head nodding, or other symptoms (to rule out causative conditions such as tumors).

Prevention

Not applicable.

Update Date: 10/23/2003

Updated by: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., M.Sc, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. 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.