Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
["Numb chin syndrome": first presenting syndrome of multiple sclerosis?]
A Oestmann1, L Achtnichts, L Kappos
1Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsspital Basel. Andreas.Oestmann@insel.ch
History And Clinical Findings:
A 34-year-old previously healthy woman presented with a five-day history of subacute onset of a numb chin. Examination on admission revealed isolated hypesthesia on the left side of the chin and lower lip.
Investigations:
Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a lesion involving the pontine trigeminal fibers and multiple periventricular T2-hyperintense white matter lesions suggestive of inflammatory /demyelinating disease. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed oligoclonal IgG bands (only in cerebrospinal fluid) and an increased IgG index. A follow-up MRI after four months demonstrated new supratentorial brain lesions, confirming a syndrome, highly suggestive of multiple sclerosis as the likely underlying diagnosis. TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP: The facial sensory disturbance resolved spontaneously. Prophylactic treatment with interferon-beta was started.
Conclusion:
The numb chin syndrome may be the initial presentation of a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Prophylactic immunomodulatory treatment may be started after the suspicion of inflammatory/demyelinating activity is confirmed.
Related Concept Videos
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Cranial Nerves: Types Part I
Olfactory Nerve (Cranial Nerve I)
The olfactory nerve, or cranial nerve I, is unique as it is purely sensory and dedicated to the sense of smell. This nerve originates in the olfactory epithelium of the...
Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Prosopagnosia
Chemical Synapses
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...