Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Class Summary
Have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities. Their mechanism of action is not known but may inhibit cyclooxygenase activity and prostaglandin synthesis. Other mechanisms may exist as well, such as inhibition of leukotriene synthesis, lysosomal enzyme release, lipoxygenase activity, neutrophil aggregation, and various cell membrane functions.
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Ibuprin, Advil)
Inhibits inflammatory reaction and pain by decreasing the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which results in prostaglandin synthesis.
Brown HW. True and simulated superior oblique tendon sheath syndromes. Doc Ophthalmol. Feb 21 1973;34(1):123-36. [Medline].
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Wright KW. Brown's syndrome: diagnosis and management. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 1999;97:1023-109. [Medline].
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Parks MM. Bilateral superior oblique tenotomy for A-pattern strabismus in patients with fusion (commentary). Binoc Vis. 1988;3:39.
Buckley EG, Flynn JT. Superior oblique recession versus tenotomy: a comparison of surgical results. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. May-Jun 1983;20(3):112-7. [Medline].
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Helveston EM, Birchler C. Superior oblique palsy: subclassification and treatment suggestions. Am Orthopt J. 1982;32:104-110.
Prieto-Diaz J. Posterior tenectomy of the superior oblique. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Sep-Oct 1979;16(5):321-3. [Medline].
Scott AB, Knapp P. Surgical treatment of the superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome. Arch Ophthalmol. Sep 1972;88(3):282-6. [Medline].
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Wright KW. Color Atlas of Ophthalmic Surgery-Strabismus. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 1991:201-219.
Wright KW. Superior oblique silicone expander for Brown syndrome and superior oblique overaction. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Mar-Apr 1991;28(2):101-7. [Medline].
Wright KW. Surgical procedure for lengthening the superior oblique tendon. Invest Ophthamol Vis Sci. 1989;30(sup):377.
Wright KW, Min BM, Park C. Comparison of superior oblique tendon expander to superior oblique tenotomy for the management of superior oblique overaction and Brown syndrome. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Mar-Apr 1992;29(2):92-7; discussion 98-9. [Medline].
Wright KW, Silverstein D, Marrone AC, Smith RE. Acquired inflammatory superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome. A clinicopathologic study. Arch Ophthalmol. Nov 1982;100(11):1752-4. [Medline].
| Brown syndrome (inelastic superior oblique muscle-tendon complex) | Primary superior oblique overaction | Inferior oblique paresis | |
| Limitation of elevation in adduction | Usually severe (-3 to -4) | Usually mild | Usually severe (-3 to -4) |
| Limitation of elevation in adduction | Common (mild to moderate) | No | No |
| Bilateral involvement | Rare (5-10%) | Common | Unusual |
| Vertical deviation | None or small (< 10 PD) | Bilateral small (< 10 PD) | Unilateral large (>10 PD) |
| Superior oblique overaction | None or minimal | Yes, marked | Yes, marked |
| Pattern | None or V-pattern Y-subtype with divergence in upgaze | A-pattern Lambda-subtype with divergence in downward gaze | A-pattern, often convergence in upgaze |
| Fundus torsion | None in primary or downgaze, intorsion in upgaze | Intorsion in primary, increasing in downgaze | Intorsion in primary, increasing in upgaze |
| Head title test | Negative | Negative | Positive |
| Forced ductions | Positive | Negative | Negative |

