Horner syndrome
The term Horner syndrome describes the failure of the ganglion already discussed and the associated failure symptoms. Possible causes are a failure of the sympathetic nervous system (spinal cord segments in the chest and neck area), direct damage to the ganglion or its leading nerves. Three characteristic signs are always present under the term of the Horner Triad:
- 1.
a narrowing or diminution of the pupil known as miosis The cause of this narrowing is the failure of the musculus dilatator pupillae, which normally dilates the pupil, i.e. expands it. This muscle consists of smooth muscles.
- 2. a drooping of the eyelid, also known as ptosis This is caused by a loss of the superior tarsalis muscle, also a smooth muscle and
- 3. a sinking back of the eye into the eye socket (enophthalmos). However, the enophthalmos associated with Horner’s syndrome is often referred to as pseudoenophthalmos, due to the fact that it often only appears as if the eye has sunk deep into the eye socket, caused by the drooping of the eyelid.
Causes of a lesion of the stellate ganglion
There are several causes for an injury or lesion of the stellate ganglion. In rare cases, a lesion may occur during a so-called stellate blockade, a medical procedure to block nerves. In addition, certain types of cancer that can grow into or push on the ganglion can cause damage.Especially breast cancer (breast carcinoma) and lung cancer (bronchial carcinoma) can become noticeable.
A bronchial carcinoma at the tip of the lung that can cause these symptoms is called a pancoast tumor. The symptoms of a ganglion-stellatum lesion can also be caused by other diseases. This should be clarified by a physician.
How can damage to the stellate ganglion be diagnosed?
Damage to the stellate ganglion causes quite characteristic symptoms, which are usually sufficient for diagnosis. This results in a greatly reduced or even non-existent formation of sweat on the face (anhidrosis). In addition, a Horner syndrome occurs.
This is manifested in the eye by a narrowed pupil (miosis), a slightly drooping upper eyelid (ptosis) and an often only slightly visible sinking of the eyeball (bulb) into the orbit. If these symptoms occur, a cause can be searched for by means of an imaging procedure – CT or MRT.
