[Follow-up of unexplained trigeminal neuropathies]

Fourteen patients with unilateral trigeminal neuropathy of unknown origin were examined 5 to 30 years after onset of the illness. In one patient, sensory loss in the area of the mental nerve was probably due to the pressure of the denture. In another three patients there were signs suggestive of multiple sclerosis. In the remaining ten patients there were no manifestation of any additive progressive disease or polyneuropathy. Unilateral trigeminal neuropathy is a benign disorder. The symptoms can persist, regress or even completely disappear. The significant delay in the reflex response of the blink reflex many years after onset of the disease probably signifies a very extensive involvement in the trigeminal nerve. In this disorder there seems to be no relationship to trigeminal neuralgia. In the examined cases viral etiology of the unilateral trigeminal neuropathy could be postulated. This disorder can extent to all three branches of trigeminal or even facial nerve.