[Brown syndrome: current status].

PURPOSE

Brown's syndrome is a form of anatomical strabismus, or retraction syndrome. It is defined by active and passive limitation of upward gaze in adduction in the field of action of the inferior oblique muscle. The etiology of Brown's syndrome remains unknown. The defect lies at the level of the superior oblique's tendonis trajectory via the trochlea. We studied the frequency of clinical signs and results after surgery in patients presenting congenital Brown's syndrome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our study involved 18 children. They all underwent complete ophthalmological examination with orthoptic testing, pre and postoperatively.

RESULTS

Neither sidedness nor predominance of sex was noted. Compensatory head posture was noted in 7 of 18 cases. Limitation of upward gaze in adduction was a constant finding, with a positive duction test. Eleven cases underwent superior oblique recession. Results of surgery were satisfactory, with resolution of compensatory head posture in over 80% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The etiology of congenital Brown's syndrome remains unknown. The different surgical techniques give inconstant results. Operative indication is decided only when in the presence of well defined clinical manifestations: CHP, deviation in primary position with alteration of binocular vision.