Causes and incidental neuroimaging findings in pharmacologically confirmed Horner syndrome: a retrospective cohort study of 134 cases.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of structural causes in pharmacologically confirmed Horner syndrome (HS) and assess the clinical significance of incidental neuroimaging findings.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Participants: A total of 134 patients with pharmacologically confirmed HS who underwent neuroimaging at a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology clinic between July 2018 and June 2024.

Methods: Neuroimaging findings were reviewed and categorized as either structural causes of HS or incidental. Incidental findings were further classified on the basis of their clinical relevance and need for follow-up. Cases were stratified by symptom duration into acute (<21 days), subacute (21 days to 3 months), and chronic (>3 months).

Results: A structural cause for HS was identified in 14.9% (n = 20) of patients, with higher detection rates in acute (26.0%) and subacute (21.4%) presentations compared to chronic cases (6.5%). The most common causes were internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection (3.0%) and ICA aneurysm (2.2%). Incidental findings were observed in 35.6% (n = 47) of patients, most commonly microangiopathic changes (10%), sinus/mucosal changes (3%), and thyroid nodules (3%). While 18.2% (n = 24) of patients required routine follow-up, only 1.5% (n = 2) needed urgent follow-up, and none required emergency intervention.

Conclusions: Structural causes of HS are more frequently identified in acute and subacute presentations, supporting early imaging, especially to rule out ICA dissection. In chronic HS, selective imaging may be appropriate due to lower diagnostic yield. The high rate of incidental findings underscores the need for careful interpretation to optimize resource use and avoid unnecessary investigations.