Spasmus nutans

Definition:

Spasmus nutans is a disorder affecting infants. It involves rapid, uncontrolled eye movements, head bobbing, and occasionally, abnormal positioning of the neck.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Spasmus nutans involves a triad of symptoms which includes horizontal, vertical, or pendular nystagmus (fine, rapid jerking of the eyes back and forth, and from side to side), head nodding, and head tilting.

Most cases begin between age 4 months and 1 year. It usually goes away by itself in several months to years. Less commonly it may be associated with other causative conditions. Rarely, symptoms like those of spasmus nutans may be produced by tumors in the optic chiasm or third ventricle of the brain.

Symptoms:

Nystagmus (fine, rapid jerking of the eyes from side to side)
Head nodding
Head tilting

Signs and tests:

A neurologic examination confirms the presence of the symptoms.

Tests may include:

CT scan of the head
MRI scan of the head

Treatment:

The benign form of spasmus nutans requires no treatment. Other conditions causing spasmus nutans must be treated individually.

Support Groups:

Expectations (prognosis):

Usually, this disorder goes away on its own without treatment.

Complications:

There are usually no complications.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child has nystagmus, head nodding, or other symptoms (to rule out causative conditions such as tumors).

Prevention:

Not applicable.

Review Date: 7/28/2005
Reviewed By: Kevin Sheth, M.D., Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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