Clinical Case Report on Electroacupuncture Combined with Warm Acupuncture for the Treatment of Painful Ophthalmoplegia (Tolosa-hunt Syndrome)

Abstract

Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome (THS) is a rare and complex clinical syndrome characterized by severe headache, orbital pain, and multiple cranial nerve palsies. The precise etiology of THS remains unclear, though it is hypothesized to be related to immune system deficiencies, viral infections, or nonspecific inflammation. Due to its low incidence, THS is infrequently encountered in clinical practice. This case report presents a 39-year-old female patient with THS who was successfully treated with a combination of electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture. The patient's symptoms included left eyelid ptosis, left-sided headache, and reduced eye movement, which initially responded to high-dose steroid therapy but recurred upon cessation. After discontinuing steroid treatment, the patient received comprehensive acupuncture therapy aimed at soothing the liver and gallbladder, tonifying Qi, activating blood, and unblocking channels to relieve pain. Over the course of more than 30 acupuncture sessions, the patient's symptoms significantly improved, with complete resolution of pain and restoration of eye function. This case highlights the potential of acupuncture as an effective alternative treatment for THS, providing valuable insights for the management of this rare condition. Future research should further explore the mechanisms and efficacy of acupuncture in treating THS and other cranial nerve disorders.