Trigeminal sensory neuropathyA study of 35 cases

Abstract

Objective. Trigeminal sensory neuropathy includes a wide variety of conditions sharing a common symptom described as sensory disturbance of the face—usually numbness. Study Design. This 10-year retrospective study included 35 patients referred for investigation of trigeminal sensory neuropathy. Results. The most common causes of trigeminal sensory neuropathy were nonneoplastic cerebral disorders, mainly represented by multiple sclerosis and idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy. Furthermore, when only mandibular trigeminal sensory neuropathy was considered, metastatic neoplasia was the most frequent cause, often afflicting men over the age of 60 years. Conclusions. This overview will orient clinicians in their diagnosis when they are faced with patients consulting for trigeminal sensory neuropathy. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1999;87:577-82)