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Horner’s syndrome indicates breast cancer pleural metastases

Sanja Kovačić ; Department of Neurology, General Hospital Zabok, Zabok, Croatia
Stanko Belina ; Department of Radiology, Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation, Krapinske Toplice, Croatia
Višeslav Ćuk ; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, General Hospital Zabok, Zabok, Croatia

Abstract

Horner’s syndrome results from an interruption of the sympathetic nerve supply to the eye, and is characterized by the classic triad of miosis (ie, constricted pupil), partial ptosis, and loss of hemifacial sweating (i.e. anhidrosis). The most common factor producing the preganglionic Horner’s syndrome is a malignant tumor. We report a case of Horner’s syndrome in a young woman with a history of breast cancer. Radiographic methods revealed one-sided metastatic pleural effusion as cause of the sympathetic lesion. Metastatic breast disease usually affects lungs, bone, liver, adrenals and skin, and it is highly unusual for ocular involvement to be the first sign of its existence. This report presents a rare case of pleural metastatic breast cancer causing Horner’s syndrome/Pancoast syndrome without lung involvement.

Keywords

Horner’s syndrome; pleural effusion; breast cancer

Hrčak ID:

280355

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/280355

Publication date:

27.11.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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