INTRODUCTION We present a case of herpes zoster infection (shingles) precipitated by surgical manipulation of the trigeminal nerve root during an attempted microvascular decompression procedure. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon, as well as the importance and role of prophylactic acyclovir in its management, are discussed. CASE PRESENTATION A 54-year-old Caucasian man with a classical long-...

This report describes a 59-year old woman with a rare choroid plexus papilloma of the cerebellopontine angle presenting with trigeminal neuralgia. The patient was admitted complaining of a 12-year history of paroxysmal lancinating pain throughout the right side of her face. Treatment with carbamazepine, Chinese medicine and a peripheral neurectomy had not relieved the pain. At operation, a 0.5 ...

This article provides a simple overview of acute trigeminal pain for the non dentist.This article does not cover oral mucosal diseases (vesiculobullous disorders) that may cause acute pain.Dental pain is the most common in this group and it can present in several different ways.Of particular interest for is that dental pain can mimic both trigeminal neuralgia and other chronic trigeminal pain d...

Ossification of the tentorium cerebelli over the trigeminal notch is rare, but it may cause compression of the trigeminal nerve, leading to trigeminal neuralgia (TN). We were unable to find any previously reported cases with radiological evaluation, although we did find one case with surgically proven ossification of the tentorium cerebelli. Here, we present a case of TN caused by tentorial oss...

The Patient Your patient, a 42-year-old woman, presents to your office complaining of intermittent but severe unilateral facial pain. She describes her pain as " lightning flashes " that follow a path from her right ear to the chin. She first noticed the pain one week prior while brushing her teeth. The painful episodes are becoming more frequent and severe, particularly when chewing, talking, ...