HORNER'S SYNDROME

Abstract

The symptom complex known as Homer's syndrome is seen in association with a variety of conditions. It is frequently an important finding in cases of involvement of the nervous system. The syndrome was first described clinically by Horner 1 in 1869, and he recognized that the phenomenon was secondary to paralysis of the nerves of the cervical portion of the sympathetic system. The patient in Horner's case exhibited miosis, partial ptosis, enophthalmos and changes in the vasomotor and sudorific activity of the face. These are the clinical findings usually seen in patients who show the complete syndrome of involvement of the cervical portion of the sympathetic system. Previous to the publication of Horner's observations experimental work had been done on the autonomic nervous system. 2 In 1727 Petit noted retraction of the eyeball, narrowing of the palpebral fissure and relaxation of the nictitating membrane following section of the vagosympathetic nerve