Selected Garcin sequence and Garcin syndrome cases

Cases selected were published since advent of CT in the mid-1970s (CT was introduced in the US in 1973), in English (not only as abstract), and met diagnostic criteria, including involvement of at least seven cranial nerves on one side, without long-tract signs, without increased intracranial pressure, and with evidence of skull erosion. Garcin sequence involves 7-11 cranial nerves on one side, whereas Garcin syndrome involves all 12. Documentation was often poor in these cases. Reported glossopharyngeal (CN IX) dysfunction is suspect in many, based on the inadequate documentation of how it was assessed; many seemed to believe that pharyngeal/gag abnormalities automatically indicated involvement of both cranial nerves IX and X. The Thakar (2012) case was included even though there was bilateral peripheral facial weakness. CNs = cranial nerves.