Fact-sheet: Trigeminal nerve nevritis


Updated on 10/03/2018 at 2:44 PM

Note : 0/10
Share

View all RADEOS cases associated with this fact-sheet

Definition

Inflammation of a branch of the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve)

Clinical features

  • Unilateral pain in 1, 2, or 3 territories (V1, V2, or V3)
  • No trigger zone
  • Persistent background aching sensation
  • Abnormal neurologic exam: hypoesthesia, masticatory paresis (V3)

MRI

  • Enhancement of a root of the trigeminal nerve
  • Focal enlargement
  • T2 hyperintensity

Management

Oral corticosteroids

Differential diagnosis

  • Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Syringobulbia
  • Intra-axial tumor
  • Lateral medullary infarction
  • Cavernoma
  • Glioma
  • Chiari I
  • Schwannomas
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Lymphoma
  • Metastasis
  • Compression by epidermoïd cyst, lipoma, or schwannoma