Opsoclonus and Occult Neuroblastoma

Abstract

TWO children with opsoclonus and occult neuroblastoma were seen on the Pediatric Neurology Service of Columbia–Presbyterian Medical Center. A report of opsoclonus in association with occult bronchogenic carcinoma¹ has recently appeared.Opsoclonus, defined as irregular, hyperkinetic, multidirectional spontaneous eye movements, is often accompanied by myoclonic jerks of the face and body, and at least as frequently by cerebellar ataxia. The eye movements are not always in unison in opsoclonus and can be present in sleep with lower amplitude and rate.² Opsoclonus has been ascribed to encephalitis,^{3 , 4} chiefly affecting the brain-stem. It has been included among the acute cerebellar ataxias,⁵ and . . .