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Foster Kennedy syndrome

AI overview

Foster Kennedy syndrome is a constellation of findings associated with tumors of the frontal lobe.

Key points
  • It should not be confused with Kennedy disease, or spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, which is named after William R. Kennedy.
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    it should not be confused with Kennedy disease, or spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy , which is named after William R. Kennedy
  • Pseudo-Foster Kennedy syndrome is defined as one-sided optic atrophy with papilledema in the other eye but without a mass.
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    Pseudo-Foster Kennedy syndrome is defined as one-sided optic atrophy with papilledema in the other eye but with the absence of a mass.
  • The syndrome is caused by optic nerve compression, olfactory nerve compression, and increased intracranial pressure secondary to a mass such as meningioma or plasmacytoma.
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    This syndrome is due to optic nerve compression, olfactory nerve compression, and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) secondary to a mass (such as meningioma or plasmacytoma , usually an olfactory groove meningioma).
Symptoms
  • Optic atrophy occurs in the ipsilateral eye.
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    optic atrophy in the ipsilateral eye
  • Disc edema occurs in the contralateral eye.
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    disc edema in the contralateral eye
  • Central scotoma (loss of vision in the middle of the visual fields) occurs in the ipsilateral eye.
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    central scotoma (loss of vision in the middle of the visual fields) in the ipsilateral eye
  • Anosmia (loss of smell) ipsilateral to the eye with optic atrophy was historically associated but is not strictly associated with all cases.
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    The presence of anosmia (loss of smell) ipsilateral to the eye demonstrating optic atrophy was historically associated with this syndrome, but is now understood to not strictly be associated with all cases.
  • Other symptoms in some cases include nausea and vomiting, memory loss, and emotional lability (frontal lobe signs).
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    There are other symptoms present in some cases such as nausea and vomiting , memory loss and emotional lability (i.e., frontal lobe signs).
Diagnosis
  • MRI gives better detail than CT scan and is the preferred study for visualizing brain tumors.
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    Brain tumor can be visualized very well on CT scan, but MRI gives better detail and is the preferred study.
  • Clinical localization of brain tumors may be possible based on specific neurologic deficits or symptom patterns.
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    Clinical localization of brain tumors may be possible by virtue of specific neurologic deficits or symptom patterns.
  • Tumor at the base of the frontal lobe produces inappropriate behavior, optic nerve atrophy on the side of the tumor, and papilledema of the contralateral eye.
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    Tumor at the base of the frontal lobe produces inappropriate behavior, optic nerve atrophy on the side of the tumor, and papilledema of the contralateral eye
Treatment
  • Treatment varies depending upon the underlying tumour.
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    The treatment, and therefore prognosis, varies depending upon the underlying tumour.
  • While awaiting surgical removal, increased intracranial pressure should be treated with high-dose steroids such as dexamethasone.
    source quote
    While awaiting surgical removal, treat any increased intracranial pressure with high-dose steroids (i.e., dexamethasone).
Prognosis

The prognosis varies depending upon the underlying tumour.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Foster Kennedy syndrome”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Foster Kennedy syndrome
Other namesGowers–Paton–Kennedy syndrome, Kennedy's phenomenon, Kennedy's syndrome
Frontal lobe (on the right)
SpecialtyNeurology 

Foster Kennedy syndrome is a constellation of findings associated with tumors of the frontal lobe.[1]

Although Foster Kennedy syndrome is sometimes called "Kennedy syndrome",[2] it should not be confused with Kennedy disease, or spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, which is named after .

Pseudo-Foster Kennedy syndrome is defined as one-sided optic atrophy with papilledema in the other eye but with the absence of a mass.[3]

The syndrome is defined as the following changes:[4]

  • optic atrophy in the ipsilateral eye
  • disc edema in the contralateral eye
  • central scotoma (loss of vision in the middle of the visual fields) in the ipsilateral eye

The presence of anosmia (loss of smell) ipsilateral to the eye demonstrating optic atrophy was historically associated with this syndrome, but is now understood to not strictly be associated with all cases.[4]

This syndrome is due to optic nerve compression, olfactory nerve compression, and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) secondary to a mass (such as meningioma or plasmacytoma, usually an olfactory groove meningioma).[5][6] There are other symptoms present in some cases such as nausea and vomiting, memory loss and emotional lability (i.e., frontal lobe signs).[6]

Brain tumor can be visualized very well on CT scan, but MRI gives better detail and is the preferred study. Clinical localization of brain tumors may be possible by virtue of specific neurologic deficits or symptom patterns. Tumor at the base of the frontal lobe produces inappropriate behavior, optic nerve atrophy on the side of the tumor, and papilledema of the contralateral eye; anosmia on the side of the tumor may be found in certain cases of progressive disease. [4]

The treatment, and therefore prognosis, varies depending upon the underlying tumour.[6] While awaiting surgical removal, treat any increased intracranial pressure with high-dose steroids (i.e., dexamethasone).[citation needed]

The syndrome was first extensively noted by Robert Foster Kennedy in 1911, an Irish neurologist, who spent most of his career working in the United States of America.[7] However, the first mention of the syndrome came from a William Gowers in 1893. Schultz–Zehden described the symptoms again in 1905. A later description was written by Wilhelm Uhthoff in 1915.[8]

  1. "Kennedy syndrome" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  2. "Foster Kennedy syndrome" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  3. Bansal S, Dabbs T, Long V (2008). "Pseudo-Foster–Kennedy Syndrome due to unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia: a case report". J Med Case Rep. 2 86. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-86. PMC 2278154. PMID 18348732.
  4. 1 2 3 Lai AT, Chiu SL, Lin IC, Sanders M (2014). "Foster Kennedy Syndrome: Now and The". Journal of Neuro-Opthanmology. 34 (1): 92–94. doi:10.1097/WNO.0000000000000072. PMID 24284554.
  5. Longmore, Murray; Ian Wilkinson; Tom Turmezei; Chee Kay Cheung (2007). Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine (7th ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 690. ISBN 978-0-19-856837-7.
  6. 1 2 3 Willacy, Hayley. "Foster Kennedy syndrome". Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  7. Thorofare, NJ (1911). Kennedy F; Retrobulbar neuritis as an exact diagnostic sign of certain tumors and abscesses in the frontal lobe. American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
  8. "Kennedy's syndrome". Retrieved 2008-08-13.