Opalski syndrome: A comprehensive systematic review of cases
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Opalski syndrome, a subtype of lateral medullary syndrome (LMS), poses challenges due to its diverse clinical presentations and potential atypical symptoms. Understanding its epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes is crucial for optimizing patient care.
METHODS
A systematic review, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, was conducted to comprehensively analyze Opalski syndrome. Data from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were included, with the search conducted in May 2023. Eligible studies spanned from included case reports, case series, and editorial letters.
RESULTS
The review encompassed 78 studies from 1984 to 2024, involving 94 patients with Opalski syndrome. The analysis revealed a male predominance (76.60 %) with a male-to-female ratio of 3.1:1. Common risk factors included hypertension (63.54 %), diabetes mellitus (32.29 %), smoking (32.39 %), and alcohol consumption (22.91 %). Opalski syndrome cases were reported in 22 countries across 5 continents, with Asia being the most prevalent region (77.08 %). Initial presentations commonly included ataxia or positive finger-to-nose and knee-to-heel tests, dizziness or vertigo, hemiparesis, nystagmus, Horner's sign, and 5th or 7th cranial nerve palsy, all occurring in more than 50 % of cases. Neuroimaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were crucial for diagnosis. Despite a mortality rate of 4.16 %, no deaths have been reported since…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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