Possible etiology and pathogenesis of cervicogenic exophthalmos: case report

Chi Ming Wu

Abstract

Purpose   To let other clinicians to know that unilateral exophthalmos also can be caused by cervical spondylosis. Methods We describe a 45-year-old female with unilateral exophthalmos caused by reflex sympathetic dystrophy and its unexpected spontaneous disappearance after a standard anterior cervical discectomy and fixation operation with two PEEK interbody cages and a plate. Results To our surprise, the patient’s left unilateral exophthalmos disappeared spontaneously in the morning on postoperative day 2—with no relapse, without any further medication, as of 7 years. We have named this condition “cervicogenic exophthalmos.” Conclusions We would inform other clinicians that unilateral exophthalmos maybe caused by reflex sympathetic dystrophy related with cervicogenic spondylosis except inflammation, vascular disorder, infection, neoplasm, or metabolic disease. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first related case report and use of the term “cervicogenic exophthalmos” after reviewing previous literature.