$Unique_ID{BRK03543}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Brown Syndrome}
$Subject{Brown Syndrome Superior Oblique Tendon Sheath Syndrome Tendon Sheath
Adherence}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

174:
Brown Syndrome

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Brown Syndrome) is not the
name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM listing to find alternate names
and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Superior Oblique Tendon Sheath Syndrome
     Tendon Sheath Adherence

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Muscles control the movements of the eye.  Some of these muscles turn the
eyeball up and down, some move it from side to side and still others cause it
to rotate slightly in its socket.  The superior oblique tendon sheath is a
slanting tubular structure which surrounds the eyeball.  Brown Syndrome
occurs when the tendon which surrounds the eyeball and attaches it to the
sphenoid bone becomes shortened or thickened.

Symptoms

Patients affected with Brown Syndrome have mechanically limited eye
elevation.  Symptoms of Brown Syndrome may include squinting, drooping
eyelids, and a backward head tilt.  The fold in the eyelid may widen when the
patient attempts to gaze upward.  Adduction (drawing toward the center) and
abduction (turning outward from the center) of the eye may be restricted or
abolished.  A defect in the vascular coating of the eyeball (choroidal
coloboma) may also occur.  This may result in an area of depressed vision
surrounded by normal vision.  The membrane that lines the eyelids and covers
the exposed surface of the eyeball (conjunctiva) may have decreased
elasticity.

Causes

Brown Syndrome is a congenital disorder.  It may be due to a shortened
superior oblique tendon sheath, a thickening of the sheath which restricts
its passage through the trochlea (the pulley shaped structure through which
the superior oblique muscle passes), or the irregular insertion of the
superior oblique tendon.  The condition may also result from infection around
the trochlea, and surgical or nonsurgical trauma.

Affected Population

Brown Syndrome, also known as Superior Oblique Tendon Sheath Syndrome,
affects both males and females.

Therapies:  Standard

Brown Syndrome can be corrected surgically.  While surgical results may be
excellent, the condition may sometimes reoccur.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
1987.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Brown Syndrome, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     NIH/National Eye Institute
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-5248