Trigeminal trophic syndrome treated with thermoplastic occlusion

A 72-year-old man with a history of thrombotic CVA causing lateral medullary infarction presented with non-healing ulcers of the right side of the face of 5 months' duration. After extensive investigations, a diagnosis of trigeminal trophic syndrome was made. The ulcers progressed relentlessly despite amitriptyline and gabapentin, and he was treated with a combination of carbamazepine and thermoplastic mask occlusion of the right side of his face. Over the next 10 weeks the shallower facial ulcers began to diminish in depth and diameter, and the deeper ulcers stopped progressing. Although the patient showed early signs of healing, he died because of complications from the CVA.