SPASMUS NUTANS Meaning and
Definition
-
Spasmus nutans is a rare and benign disorder that primarily affects infants and young children. It is characterized by a triad of symptoms including nystagmus, head nodding, and abnormal head posture.
Nystagmus refers to an involuntary rhythmic eye movement, where the eyes jerk back and forth or move in a rapid repetitive manner. In spasmus nutans, this eye movement is usually horizontal and may vary in intensity, speed, or direction.
Head nodding is another common feature of spasmus nutans, where the child demonstrates a repetitive nodding motion of the head. This nodding motion can present as a tilt or rotation of the head as well.
Abnormal head posture is also observed in individuals with spasmus nutans. They often assume an unusual head position, tilting or turning it, in an effort to minimize the impact of nystagmus on their visual function.
Typically, spasmus nutans develops in early infancy and may spontaneously resolve by the age of 3 or 4. Although the cause of this disorder remains unclear, some cases have been associated with underlying conditions such as optic glioma, neuroblastoma, or retinal diseases.
A thorough clinical examination is essential to differentiate spasmus nutans from other disorders presenting with similar symptoms. Diagnostic tests, including an ophthalmological evaluation and brain imaging, may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and exclude associated conditions.
Since spasmus nutans is generally a self-limiting condition, treatment options are limited. Regular follow-up visits with a pediatrician or ophthalmologist are advised to monitor the child's visual development and ensure appropriate management if any underlying condition is identified.
Common Misspellings for SPASMUS NUTANS
- apasmus nutans
- zpasmus nutans
- xpasmus nutans
- dpasmus nutans
- epasmus nutans
- wpasmus nutans
- soasmus nutans
- slasmus nutans
- s-asmus nutans
- s0asmus nutans
- spzsmus nutans
- spssmus nutans
- spwsmus nutans
- spqsmus nutans
- spaamus nutans
- spazmus nutans
- spaxmus nutans
- spadmus nutans
- spaemus nutans
- spawmus nutans
Etymology of SPASMUS NUTANS
The term "Spasmus Nutans" has its origin in Latin and Greek. "Spasmus" is derived from Latin, meaning "spasm" or "convulsion". "Nutans" comes from the Latin word "nutare", which translates to "to nod" or "to sway". Thus, "Spasmus Nutans" literally translates to "nodding spasm" or "swaying convulsion".
The term was first used in medical literature in 1964 by Vogt and Schonfelder to describe a specific type of nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) that occurs in infants and young children. This eye movement disorder is characterized by irregular, rapid, and involuntary movements of the eyes, together with an associated head nodding or head tilting behavior.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
