(DGC) Former Director of Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Subject
Posterior Cranial Fossa
Description
Clinical Signs: slow saccades; some compensatory head thrusts; blinking of lids; pursuit movements considerably better than saccadic movements. 12-2-82: 34 year old WW with a strong Family History of Huntington's disease (Fraternal twin, father, & paternal relatives.) All have dementia as well. Present symptom began at age 30 with involuntary movements of arms noted by others. Then dysarthria, mild dementia, chorea, dyskinesia. General cerebral atrophy. Neurology: ++ chorea & rigidity. Mild dementia. Tried on Lisurdine, a Dopamine agonist which has helped other patients with Huntington Disease but had to be discontinued on account of nausea. Eyes defective in mobilizing saccades- slow horizontal movements No fast phase to vestibular stimulus or OKN stimulus. Good pursuit. Uses head with frequent blinks to mobilize eyes. Poor upward gaze. Better down gaze. Anatomy: Posterior cranial fossa. Pathology: Lesions of posterior cranial fossa. Disease/ Diagnosis: Posterior Fossa Lesions; dysarthria; dyskinesia; chorea; minimal cerebellar signs; Huntington's Disease
