Re: Raeder's Syndrome

Posted By Katherine on November 22, 1998 at 02:23:11:

In Reply to: Raeder's Syndrome posted by Katherine on November 22, 1998 at 00:49:32:






: I have all the signs of Raeder's: ptosis, facial neuralgia, headaches etc... Not sure what's causing it. I was diagnosed with MS in 1995 and then had to undergo surgery and radiation treatments due to moderate sized pituitary tumor pressing on optic chasm. MRI inOctober of this year shows "small lesion" in cavernous sinus area, "probably scar tissue" There's no significant changes in MS according to MRI. My question is- could MS cause Raeder's? Or could it be a result of tumor treatment? I'd really appreciate some information. Things are getting progressively worse and so far nothing seems to help the pain for any length of time. By the way...you people are providing a WONDERFUL service...God Bless.




Dear Katherine:
There is no association between MS and Raeder's paratrigeminal syndrome. It is conceivable that a Horner's syndrome (droopy eyelid, small pupil, loss of sweating on one side) and trigeminal neuralgia (jabbing pain occuring numerous times a day on one side of the face) associated with MS could be confused with Raeder's syndrome. In contrast, true Raeder's syndrome is associated with a "partial" Horner's (there is no loss of facial sweating), and the pain is more deep behind the head and in the frontal region than over the face.
Raeder's syndrome may occur without any evident cause, or may be due to a problem around the carotid artery in the cavernous sinus region. The commonly mentioned causes include carotid dissection (tearing), carotid aneurysm, fibromuscular dysplasia (an arterial disease) of the carotid artery, local tumors etc.
It is difficult for me to determine if you have the syndrome at all. In addition without having the opportunity of seeing the radiology, it is difficult for me to comment on the significance of your cavernous sinus lesion.