Laser-Doppler flowmetry and Horner's syndrome in patients with complete unilateral damage to the parasellar sympathetic fibers during cavernous sinus surgery.

AIM To determine ocular, sudomotor, and vasomotor components of Horner's syndrome resulting from complete unilateral intraoperative damage to the parasellar sympathetic fibers during cavernous sinus surgery. METHODS Complete damage to the parasellar sympathetic fibers was found in four patients operated for central skull base lesions. Pupilometry, eyelid fissure measurement, Hertel's exophthalmometry, starch iodine sweat test, and laser-Doppler perfusion assessment of bilaterally symmetrical forehead and cheek areas were performed. RESULTS Pupil diameter was smaller and the eyelid fissure was >2 mm narrower on the affected side in all four patients. Exophthalmometry after the operation never revealed >1 mm difference. Anhydrosis was localized to the medial forehead in three and to the entire forehead in one patient. Average perfusion did not significantly differ between the affected and opposite side of the forehead or cheek. CONCLUSIONS The parasellar sympathetic fibers exclusively innervate the orbit and variably innervate the forehead sweat glands. No conclusion regarding their contribution to the facial vasomotor control could be established.