American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

Opsoclonus-myoclonus is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary eye movements (opsoclonus) and muscle jerks (myoclonus). In infants, one of the most common causes of this condition is neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that typically arises in the adrenal glands or nerve tissues. Neuroblastoma can lead to a paraneoplastic syndrome, where the immune response to the tumor affects the nervous system, resulting in symptoms like opsoclonus-myoclonus.

This association is particularly significant in young children, as neuroblastoma is more prevalent in infants and toddlers compared to older age groups. The presence of opsoclonus-myoclonus in infants often raises suspicion for an underlying neuroblastoma, making it important for clinicians to be aware of this connection in order to initiate appropriate diagnostic testing and care promptly.