Annals of neurology
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Annals of neurology · Apr 1993
Case ReportsOscillopsia and horizontal nystagmus with accelerating slow phases following lumbar puncture in the Arnold-Chiari malformation.
Oscillopsia and nystagmus began in a woman 2 weeks after an inadvertent lumbar puncture during anesthesia for childbirth. Examination showed horizontal-torsional jerk nystagmus in all positions of gaze. Magnetic-search-coil oculography revealed accelerating slow phases, with an increase in nystagmus amplitude in darkness. ⋯ Three months after occipital decompressive surgery, nystagmus had almost disappeared. Accelerating slow phases should not be considered diagnostic of congenital nystagmus, especially with an onset of oscillopsia in adult life; imaging should be considered to exclude treatable hindbrain anomalies. Lumbar puncture in patients with the Arnold-Chiari malformation may accentuate craniospinal pressure dissociation and precipitate neurological signs.