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Trigeminal Neuralgia and Multiple Sclerosis: A Historical Perspective.
David B Burkholder1, Peter J Koehler2, Christopher J Boes3
11Department of Neurology,Mayo Clinic Health System - Owatonna,Owatonna, Minnesota,The Netherlands.
Summary
Hermann Oppenheim first described trigeminal neuralgia (TN) with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1894, noting demyelination. Translation differences in early English editions may explain variations in how this association was presented.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Medical History
Background:
- The association between trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and multiple sclerosis (MS) has historical roots.
- Hermann Oppenheim's 1894 work, "Lehrbuch der Nervenkrankheiten für Ärzte und Studirende," is a key early reference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To trace the historical description of TN associated with MS.
- To investigate discrepancies in early English translations of Oppenheim's work regarding the TN-MS link.
Main Methods:
- Historical text analysis of "Lehrbuch der Nervenkrankheiten für Ärzte und Studirende" in German and English editions.
- Comparative review of descriptions of TN and MS association across different publication years and languages.
Main Results:
- Oppenheim's original German text explicitly linked TN with MS and described trigeminal root entry zone demyelination.
- Early English translations (1900, 1904) were less explicit about the TN-MS association.
- A later English translation (1911) presented a more direct association.
Conclusions:
- Translation variations may account for the differing emphasis on the TN-MS connection in early literature.
- Subsequent clinical reports often referenced Oppenheim, but sometimes cited later editions or translations, potentially perpetuating translation-influenced interpretations.
