Descompresión microvascular endoscópica versus microscópica en neuralgia trigeminal en un centro Argentino / Endoscopic vs. microscopic techniques for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Our experience at an Argentine care center

Resumen Introducción: La descompresión microvascular (DMV) en la neuralgia trigeminal es una técnica quirúrgica cuyo objetivo es revertir la compresión a la que se ve someti do un nervio por una estructura vascular. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una comparación directa entre la descompresión microvascular endoscópica (DMV-E) y la misma a través del uso del microscopio (DMV-M) en el tratamiento de la neuralgia del trigémino. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospec tivo de pacientes operados de neuralgia de trigémino, por un mismo cirujano, entre 2015 y 2021 en nuestra institución, tanto por técnica microquirúrgica como endoscópica. Resultados: Se obtuvieron un total de 31 pacientes divididos en dos grupos: Grupo M correspondiente a 15 (49%) pacientes abordados con técnica microscópica y Grupo E, con 16 (51%) pacientes intervenidos con técnica endoscópica. Se identificaron diferencias en el tamaño de la cra niectomía, más pequeña en el grupo E (2.50 cm vs 3.70 cm grupo M); y en el tiempo de internación, de 2.43 días en el grupo E vs. 4.46 días en el grupo M. El tiempo de cirugía fue similar para ambas técnicas quirúrgicas La principal compresión fue dada por la arteria ce rebelosa superior (ACS) en ambos grupos. Todos los pacientes presentaron mejoría del Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity Score (BNI) en el postoperatorio en ambos grupos. Discusión: La DMV-E constituye una alternativa qui rúrgica interesante a la ya conocida DMV-M para el tratamiento de la neuralgia trigeminal, por requerir menores dimensiones en la incisión cutánea y tamaño de la craniectomía, acortando el tiempo de internación, lo cual no solo implica un beneficio para el paciente, sino que también representa menor costo de internación.

Abstract Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia is a highly invali dating pathology, whose natural course has been modi fied thanks to decompressive microvascular surgery. The intervention can be carried out either with a microscope or via an endoscopic technique. Our goal was to compare these two techniques for the treatment of this complex pathology. Methods: Retrospective, analytical study of a cohort of patients treated by a single surgeon at our institution, in the period between 2015 and 2021. Results: We identified 31 patients and divided them into two groups: 15 (49%) treated using the microscopic technique (group M), and 16 (51%) exclusively via an endoscopic one (group E). Differences were observed between the means of the size of the craniectomy in group M (3.7 cm) compared to group E (2.5 cm); The mean length of hospital stay for patients in group E was shorter (4.46 days compared to that of patients in group M, whose hospital stay averaged 2.43 days). There were no differences between the two groups regarding the length of the procedure. In both groups, the predomi nant compression was due to the superior cerebellar artery (SCA). Pain outcomes were equivalent, with every patient in both groups having an improved postoperative Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity Score (BNI). Discussion: Endoscopic microvascular decompression is an attractive option for the resolution of neurovas cular conflict as it provides functional results similar to the microscope technique, without requiring an exten sive craniectomy and associated to shorter in-hospital stay, which is beneficial for both the patient and the institution.

Trigeminal Neuralgia in COVID-19: A meta-analysis

The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve, which transmits facial sensations, and is divided into the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches. Damage to this nerve can cause trigeminal neuralgia, a clinical condition that can also present in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This meta-analysis reviews the clinical cases of trigeminal neuralgia reported in patients with COVID-19 from 2019 to 2022, describes the anatomical mechanism of pain and its radiation and identifies other associated symptoms. We performed a literature search to identify reports of patients with COVID-19 who developed trigeminal neuralgia and examined these cases for prevalence and any identified source of associated ocular pain. Of the relevant studies identified, 638 patients with COVID-19 developed trigeminal neuralgia out of 7561 total COVID-19 cases (8.4 %). Of the 638 cases, 590 (7.8 %) had known causes of ocular pain, while the cause of ocular pain was unknown in 48 cases (0.6 %). Trigeminal neuralgia developed infrequently in patients with COVID-19, and cases with known causes of ocular pain were more common than cases with unknown causes. Understanding the link between COVID-19 and trigeminal neuralgia may lead to preventing further complications and mortality in these patients, as well as improving care for patients with these conditions in the future. Additionally, understanding these new clinical issues can prepare many types of physicians to protect themselves better in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak among medical staff in different departments of hospitals, such as clinics, wards, emergency rooms, and operating theatres.

El nervio trigémino es el quinto par craneal, que transmite las sensaciones faciales, y se divide en las ramas oftálmica, maxilar y mandibular. El daño a este nervio puede causar neuralgia del trigémino, una condición clínica que también puede presentarse en pacientes con enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Este metaanálisis revisa los casos clínicos de neuralgia del trigémino informados en pacientes con COVID-19 desde 2019 hasta 2022, describe el mecanismo anatómico del dolor y su radiación e identifica otros síntomas asociados. Realizamos una búsqueda bibliográfica para identificar informes de pacientes con COVID-19 que desarrollaron neuralgia del trigémino y examinamos estos casos en busca de prevalencia y cualquier fuente identificada de dolor ocular asociado. De los estudios relevantes identificados, 638 pacientes con COVID-19 desarrollaron neuralgia del trigémino de un total de 7561 casos de COVID-19 (8,4 %). De los 638 casos, 590 (7,8 %) tenían causas conocidas de dolor ocular, mientras que la causa del dolor ocular era desconocida en 48 casos (0,6 %). La neuralgia del trigémino se desarrolló con poca frecuencia en pacientes con COVID-19, y los casos con causas conocidas de dolor ocular fueron más comunes que los casos con causas desconocidas. Comprender el vínculo entre COVID-19 y la neuralgia del trigémino puede ayudar a prevenir más complicaciones y mortalidad en estos pacientes, así como a mejorar la atención de los pacientes con estas afecciones en el futuro. Además, comprender estos nuevos problemas clínicos puede preparar a muchos tipos de médicos para protegerse mejor en caso de un brote de COVID-19 entre el personal médico en diferentes departamentos de hospitales, como clínicas, salas de emergencia y quirófanos.

Efficacy of percutaneous balloon compression in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and risk factors of postoperative recurrence / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and the risk factors of postoperative recurrence.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 200 TN patients admitted to Hebei General Hospital from February 2018 to February 2019. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into operation group ( n=150) and conservative group ( n=50). The operation group received PBC treatment, and the conservative group received conservative treatment. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was recorded, including total effective rate, VAS, quality of life score (physical function, health status, social function, mental health). Patients treated with PBC were followed up for 4 years, and were divided into relapse group ( n=23) and non-recurrence group ( n=127) according to postoperative recurrence. The baseline data and laboratory indexes of the two groups were recorded, including fasting blood glucose, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and t-test was used for comparison between groups. Chi-square test was used for comparison between count data groups. The factors related to postoperative recurrence of TN patients were first analyzed by univariate analysis, and then by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. A nomogram prediction model was constructed to predict postoperative recurrence, and its prediction efficiency was evaluated. The model was stratified by X-tile software to discuss its clinical application value. Results:The total effective rate, VAS of the operation group were 94.00%, 2.14±0.57, the conservative group were 78.00%, 3.87±1.16, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). The scores of physical function, health status, social function and mental health of quality of life in the operation group after treatment were 89.75±4.67, 90.36±5.68, 87.68±4.16, 88.79±5.09, the conservative group were 82.54±4.03, 84.67±4.28, 81.45±4.09, 80.69±4.89, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). Of 150 patients treated with PBC, 23 (15.33%) relapsed. Hypertension( OR=2.537, 95% CI: 1.069-6.019), diabetes( OR=5.179, 95% CI: 1.492-17.970), hyperlipidemia( OR=2.447, 95% CI: 1.227-4.883), CRP≥6.62 mg/L( OR=6.386, 95% CI: 1.738-9.854), IL-6≥19.55 ng/L( OR=8.028, 95% CI: 1.279-12.214), procalcitonin ≥1.13 ng/mL ( OR=7.615, 95% CI: 5.020-14.559), TNF-α≥4.56 ng/L( OR=6.226, 95% CI: 4.950-13.337) were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence of PBC ( P<0.05). Based on the nomogram constructed by the above 7 risk factors, the decision curve showed that the net benefit rate was greater than 0 when the threshold probability was between 0.01 and 0.91. The X-tile software was used to divide the model into three levels of low (>21.6), medium (13.8-21.6) and high (<13.8) risk according to the Logistic risk score, and the postoperative recurrence probability of PBC was 10.87%, 20.74% and 64.04%, respectively. The recurrence rate of PBC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than that in the medium-risk group and the low-risk group ( χ2=5.136, P=0.015). Conclusions:Percutaneous balloon compression of trigeminal nerve in the treatment of patients with trigeminal neuralgia has the advantages of high total effective rate, fewer postoperative complications, good clinical efficacy, quick effect and so on. The construction of percutaneous balloon compression of trigeminal nerve in patients with trigeminal neuralgia postoperative recurrence risk prediction model to provide reference for clinical improvement of patient rehabilitation.

Predictive value of foramen ovale size on pain recurrence after percutaneous balloon compression / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) is a common cranial nerve disease in neurosurgery, which seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients. Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) has become an effective procedure for the treatment of PTN by blocking pain conduction through minimally invasive puncture. However, the recurrence of facial pain after PBC is still a major problem for PTN patients. Intraoperative balloon shape, pressure and compression time can affect the prognosis of patients with PBC after surgery. The foramen ovale size has an effect on the balloon pressure in Meckel's lumen. This study aims to analyse the predictive value of foramen ovale size for postoperative pain recurrence of PBC by exploring the relationship between foramen ovale size and postoperative pain recurrence of PBC.@*METHODS@#A retrospectively analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 60 patients with PTN who were treated with PBC in Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from November 2018 to December 2021. We followed-up and recorded the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain score at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation. According to the BNI pain score at 12 months after surgery, the patients were divided into a cure group (BNI pain score I to Ⅱ) and a recurrence group (BNI pain score Ⅲ to Ⅴ). The long diameter, transverse diameter and area of foramen ovale on the affected side and the healthy side of the 2 groups were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used for analysis the relationship between the recurrence of pain and the long diameter, transverse diameter, area of foramen ovale on the affected side, and aspect ratio, transverse diameter ratio, area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side in the 2 groups.@*RESULTS@#At the end of 12 months of follow-up, 50 (83.3%) patients had pain relief (the cured group), 10 (16.7%) patients had different degrees of pain recurrence (the recurrence group), and the total effective rate was 83.3%. There were no significant differences in preoperative baseline data between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The long diameter of foramen ovale on the affected side, the long diameter ratio and area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected/healthy side in the cured group were significantly higher than those in the recurrence group (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the transverse diameter and area of foramen ovale on the affected side and the transverse diameter ratio of foramen ovale on the affected/healthy side between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the long diameter of foramen ovale on the affected side was 0.290 (95% CI 0.131 to 0.449, P=0.073), and the AUC of aspect ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was 0.792 (95% CI 0.628 to 0.956, P=0.004). The AUC of area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was 0.766 (95% CI 0.591 to 0.941, P=0.008), indicating that aspect ratio and area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side had a good predictive effect on postoperative pain recurrence of PBC. When aspect ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was less than 0.886 3 or area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was less than 0.869 4, postoperative pain recurrence was common.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Accurate evaluation of the foramen ovale size of skull base before operation is of great significance in predicting pain recurrence after PBC.

A transformation of trigeminal neuralgia into SUNCT/SUNA: A case report and literature review / Uma transformação da neuralgia do trigêmeo em SUNCT/SUNA: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia and Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headache with Conjunctival injection and Tearing (SUNCT)/Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headache Attacks with Cranial Autonomic Symptoms (SUNA) are characterized by similar clinical manifestations, which may lead to diagnostic confusion. However, the transformation of trigeminal neuralgia into SUNCT/SUNA is a rare phenomenon. This report describes a case of trigeminal neuralgia transformation into SUNCT/SUNA due to neurovascular compression and reviews all previously published cases of trigeminal neuralgia to SUNCT/SUNA transformation in the literature. Case presentation: A 49-year-old Thai male patient presented with progressive right facial pain for a period of three months. One year prior, he developed trigeminal neuralgia along the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve, characterized by electrical shock-like pain in the right upper molar, exacerbated by eating. His symptoms were effectively managed with carbamazepine. Nine months later, he began experiencing recurrent electrical shock-like pain along the ophthalmic division of the right trigeminal nerve, accompanied by lacrimation, which failed to respond to continued treatment with carbamazepine. Three months prior to presentation, his symptoms evolved into SUNCT/SUNA, characterized by electrical shock-like pain in the right periorbital area and conjunctival injection, lacrimation. Neuroimaging revealed high-grade neurovascular compression of the right trigeminal nerve by the right superior cerebellar artery. The patient's symptoms resolved following microvascular decompression. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware that patients with longer disease duration of trigeminal neuralgia who develop new neuralgic pain in the ophthalmic branch division with mild autonomic symptoms may be at risk for transformation into SUNCT/SUNA.

Introdução: Neuralgia do trigêmeo e Cefaléia neuralgiforme unilateral de curta duração com injeção e lacrimejamento conjuntival (SUNCT)/Crises de cefaléia neuralgiforme unilateral de curta duração com sintomas autonômicos cranianos (SUNA) são caracterizadas por manifestações clínicas semelhantes, o que pode levar à confusão diagnóstica. Contudo, a transformação da neuralgia do trigêmeo em SUNCT/SUNA é um fenômeno raro. Este relato descreve um caso de transformação de neuralgia do trigêmeo em SUNCT/SUNA devido à compressão neurovascular e revisa todos os casos de neuralgia do trigêmeo para transformação SUNCT/SUNA publicados anteriormente na literatura. Apresentação do caso: Paciente tailandês de 49 anos, sexo masculino, apresentou dor facial progressiva à direita há três meses. Há um ano, ele desenvolveu neuralgia do trigêmeo ao longo do ramo maxilar do nervo trigêmeo, caracterizada por dor tipo choque elétrico no molar superior direito, exacerbada pela alimentação. Seus sintomas foram controlados de forma eficaz com carbamazepina. Nove meses depois, ele começou a sentir dor recorrente semelhante a choque elétrico ao longo da divisão oftálmica do nervo trigêmeo direito, acompanhada de lacrimejamento, que não respondeu ao tratamento continuado com carbamazepina. Três meses antes da apresentação, os sintomas evoluíram para SUNCT/SUNA, caracterizado por dor tipo choque elétrico na região periorbital direita e injeção conjuntival, lacrimejamento. A neuroimagem revelou compressão neurovascular de alto grau do nervo trigêmeo direito pela artéria cerebelar superior direita. Os sintomas do paciente foram resolvidos após descompressão microvascular. Conclusão: Os médicos devem estar cientes de que pacientes com maior duração da neuralgia do trigêmeo que desenvolvem nova dor nevrálgica na divisão do ramo oftálmico com sintomas autonômicos leves podem estar em risco de transformação em SUNCT/SUNA.

Paroxysmal Hemicrania-Trigeminal Neuralgia (PH-Tic) syndrome with no structural lesion in a Brazilian woman: the first case-report / Síndrome de Neuralgia Paroxística Hemicrânia-Trigêmea (PH-Tic) sem lesão estrutural em mulher brasileira: primeiro relato de caso

Introduction: In Brazil there is only one case report of a patient diagnosed with Paroxysmal Hemicrania-Trigeminal (PH-Tic) syndrome reported, however it was observed in a patient with Chiari I malformation. Objective: Here, we describe the first case of primary PH-Tic syndrome in the country. Method: Case report. CARE guideline was used to guide the structuring of this article. This case report was approved by the ethics committee and has been registered under the protocol number 70705623.7.0000.5440 on "Plataforma Brasil". Results:A 72-year-old woman with a five-month history of headaches was admitted at our headache outpatient clinic. The pain was sharp, intense, localized in the periorbital and left temporal regions. Blood counts, liver, renal and thyroid function were normal, as well as brain magnetic resonance imaging. Despite using carbamazepine, the patient had pain in only the left side of the face. Indomethacin was added until the dose of 100 mg a day and resulted in improvement of headache frequency. Conclusion: PH-Tic should be hypothesized in patients with short-lasting headaches associated with facial pain that partially improve with carbamazepine or indomethacin.

Introdução: No Brasil há apenas um relato de caso de paciente com diagnóstico de síndrome Paroxística Hemicrania-Trigeminal (PH-Tic), porém foi observado em um paciente com malformação de Chiari I. Objetivo: Descrevemos aqui o primeiro caso de síndrome PH-Tic primária no país. Método: Relato de caso. A diretriz CARE foi utilizada para orientar a estruturação deste artigo. Este relato de caso foi aprovado pelo comitê de ética e registrado sob o número de protocolo 70705623.7.0000.5440 na "Plataforma Brasil". Resultados: Uma mulher de 72 anos com história de cefaleias há cinco meses foi internada em nosso ambulatório de cefaleias. A dor era aguda, intensa, localizada nas regiões periorbital e temporal esquerda. Os hemogramas, as funções hepática, renal e tireoidiana estavam normais, assim como a ressonância magnética cerebral. Apesar do uso de carbamazepina, o paciente apresentava dor apenas no lado esquerdo da face. A indometacina foi adicionada até a dose de 100 mg ao dia e resultou em melhora da frequência da cefaleia. Conclusão: O PH-Tic deve ser hipotetizado em pacientes com cefaleias de curta duração associadas a dores faciais que melhoram parcialmente com carbamazepina ou indometacina.

Role of P2X4R in maintenance of trigeminal neuralgia in rats: relationship with p38 MAPK/BDNF signaling pathway / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) in the maintenance of trigeminal neuralgia and the relationship with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway in rats.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 190-230 g, aged 2-3 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), trigeminal neuralgia group (TN group), trigeminal neuralgia+ dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) group (TN+ DMSO group), and trigeminal neuralgia+ P2X4R specific antagonist 5-BDBD group (TN+ 5-BDBD group). The model was developed by chronic constriction of the infraorbital nerve. The infraorbital nerve was only exposed without ligation in group S. At 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after developing the model, 5 μg/μl 5-BDBD 10 μl was intrathecally injected in TN+ 5-BDBD group, and 2% DMSO 10 μl was intrathecally injected in TN+ DMSO group. The facial mechanical pain withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured at 1 day before developing the model and 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 28 days after developing the model (T 0-6). The rats were sacrificed and the trigeminal ganglia were taken for determination of the expression of P2X4R, p38 MAPK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) and BDNF (by Western blot) and contents of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with group S, the MWT was significantly decreased at T 1-6, the expression of P2X4R, p-p38 MAPK and BDNF in trigeminal ganglion was up-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in TN group ( P<0.05). Compared with TN group, the MWT was significantly increased at T 3-6, and the expression of P2X4R, p-p38 MAPK and BDNF in trigeminal ganglion was down-regulated, and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased in TN+ 5-BDBD group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the indexes mentioned above in TN+ DMSO group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:P2X4R is involved in the maintenance of trigeminal neuralgia in rats, which may be related to the activation of p38 MAPK/BDNF signaling pathway and the increase in inflammatory mediator release.

Robot-assisted percutaneous balloon compression for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of trigeminal neuralgia treatment in elderly patients with percutaneous balloon compression assisted by a robotic surgical navigation and positioning planning system.Methods:Eleven elderly patients with trigeminal neuralgia admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University between August 2021 and August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography, a three-dimensional fast spin-echo sequence with variable flip angles and thin-slice CT scans were performed before the procedure, and multimodal image fusion was performed by a robot workstation.The volume of Meckel's cave was calculated.Two paths were set up in the surgical planning: an actual puncture path, targeting the anterior inner quadrant of the internal foramen ovale, and a virtual path, used to plan the insertion depth of the balloon.The actual puncture path was completed under the guidance of the robotic arm adapter, and the virtual path for depth measurement was completed under lateral X-ray views of digital subtraction angiography.The balloon was placed at the predetermined depth and was inflated to form a pear shape to complete the procedure.The visual analogue scale(VAS)score was used to evaluate preoperative pain, and the Barrow Neurological Institute(BNI)facial numbness score was used to evaluate postoperative facial numbness.The patients were followed up for 1-12 months and the results were analyzed.Results:In all of the 11 patients, puncturing the foramen ovale and entry into the Meckel's cave were successfully conducted and the balloon was inflated to form a pear shape.Ten patients(90.9%)achieved complete remission immediately after the procedure, and 1 patient had delayed healing at 5 days after the procedure.There were no serious complications related to the procedure.There was no recurrence of pain during the follow-up, and the BNI numbness grading was between 2-3.The ratio between the inflated balloon volume and the preoperative volume of the Meckel's cave was approximately 1.7.Conclusions:Robot-assisted percutaneous balloon compression is safe and effective for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in elderly patients.

Application of improved 3D digital guide plate-assisted guided puncture in microballoon compression for primary trigeminal neuralgia / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the clinical efficacy and application value of an improved 3D-printed guide plate for the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) by percutaneous microballoon compression (PMC). @*Methods @# This prospective study included 42 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia treated at the Department of Stomatology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, from September 2019 to January 2022. The group was divided by the random number table method into the experimental group (adopting 3D printing technology to make guide plates to guide the puncture, 22 cases) and the control group (adopting the traditional Hartel anterior approach to position the puncture, 20 cases). The intraoperative success rate of the first puncture, puncture time, operative time, radiation exposure of patients and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Postoperative Barrow Neurological Institute Scale (BNI) scores, facial numbness, diminished corneal reflexes and chewing weakness were recorded. The t-test, rank-sum test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis, with P<0.05 indicating a statistically significant difference. @*Results @#The experimental group was significantly better than the control group in terms of the success rate of the first puncture (χ2 = 21.51, P<0.001), puncture time (Z = -5.51, P<0.001), operative time (t = 9.37, P<0.001), and the number of C-arm scans (Z = -4.59, P<0.001). Postoperative BNI scores of the experimental group included 21 cases of grade Ⅰ (91.5%) and 1 case of grade Ⅱ, while the control group included 17 cases of grade Ⅰ (85.0%), 2 cases of grade Ⅱ (10.0%) and 1 case of grade Ⅲ (5.0%), with no statistical significance (P>0.05). In the experimental group, 16 patients had postoperative masseter weakness, 1 had keratitis and 10 had perilabial herpes, while in the control group, 18 patients had postoperative masseter weakness, 2 had keratitis, 11 had perilabial herpes and 1 had monocular blindness. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). At 12 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence in either the experimental or control group. @* Conclusions @#3D digital guide plate-guided percutaneous microballoon compression for primary trigeminal neuralgia can improve the accuracy and safety of puncture to a certain extent, obviously shorten the operation time, reduce radiation exposure of the patients, improve the success rate of the operation, meaning it has a high clinical application value.

CyberKnife Radiosurgery for refractory bilateral trigeminal neuralgia. Case report

Case description: A case of a 37-year-old female patient suffering from refractory bilateral trigeminal neuralgia is presented, who underwent various interventions such as acupuncture, block therapies and even microvascular decompression without effective pain relief. Clinical findings: Paresthesias and shooting-like twinges of pain intensity 10/10 in bilateral maxillary and mandibular branches of the trigeminal nerve, with nasal and intraoral triggers that made eating impossible, becoming increasingly severe since refractoriness to microvascular decompression and carbamazepines, triggering the twinges even during sleep, generating somnolence, depressive mood and social isolation. Treatment and results: The patient was evaluated by an interdisciplinary neuro-oncology team, where, in accordance with the analysis of the brain magnetic resonance imaging and the patient's history, it was indicated to perform Cyberknife® radiosurgery in monofraction on the left trigeminal and subsequently treat the contralateral trigeminal. When treated with Cyberknife® radiosurgery, the patient reported absolute improvement in her pain for 2 years. Clinical relevance: Radiosurgery by CyberKnife is not yet the first line of management in trigeminal neuralgia, however, it should be considered since several studies have managed to demonstrate an increase in the quality of life of patients and pain relief in refractory or severe cases. of said pathology.

Descripción del caso: Se presenta un caso de paciente femenino de 37 años que padecía neuralgia del trigémino bilateral refractaria, tratada con terapias alternativas, cirugía de descompresión microvascular, analgesia multimodal y terapias de bloqueo sin alivio efectivo del dolor. Hallazgos clínicos: Parestesias y punzadas tipo disparo de intensidad del dolor 10/10 en ramas maxilar y mandibular bilaterales del nervio trigémino, con gatillos nasales e intraorales que imposibilitaban comer, tornándose cada vez más severa desde refractariedad a descompresión microvascular y carbamazepinas, desencadenándose las punzadas incluso en el sueño, provocando somnolencia, animo depresivo y aislamiento social. Tratamiento y resultados: La paciente fue sometida a valoración por equipo interdisciplinario de neurooncología, donde en concordancia con el análisis de la resonancia magnética cerebral y los antecedentes de la paciente, se indicó realización de radiocirugía por Cyberknife en monofracción sobre trigémino izquierdo y posteriormente tratar el contralateral. Al ser tratada con radiocirugía Cyberknife® la paciente refiere mejora absoluta de su dolor desde hace 2 años. Relevancia clínica: La Radiocirugía por Cyberknife aún no es primera línea de manejo en neuralgia del trigémino, sin embargo, debería considerarse ya que diversos estudios han logrado demostrar un aumento en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y alivio del dolor en casos refractarios o graves de dicha patología.

Epidural morphine for chronic pain in a patient with peripheral neuropathy and DRESS syndrome. Case report / Morfina peridural para tratamento de dor crônica em paciente com polineuropatia periférica e síndrome DRESS. Relato de caso

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peripheral neuropathy is a rare condition with many etiologies. Common symptoms are numbness, paresthesia, weakness and neuropathic pain. Treatment consists in frst-line agents such as anticonvulsants and some antidepressants. Te aim of this study was to report a case of chronic pain refractory to several therapies in a patient with absolute contraindication to the use of all anticonvulsants and antidepressants drugs. CASE REPORT: Female patient, a 40-year-old treated for trigeminal neuralgia with decompression that developed chronic occipital pain refractory to radiofrequency and onset of transient and bilateral T4 sensory and motor polyneuropathy after viral meningitis. In addition, she showed a severe pharmacodermy (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms- DRESS Syndrome) after using carbamazepine and other anticonvulsants, as well as allergy to all analgesics and opioids except morphine. Epidural puncture with insertion of a catheter was performed aiming at a 5-day test through intermittent epidural morphine bolus to assess the possibility of morphine pump implantation. CONCLUSION: The test was successful and the patient referred to the neurosurgery team. At the 6-month follow-up after the insertion of the morphine intrathecal pump, the strategy has proven to be efective in controlling pain secondary to polyneuropathy.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Neuropatia periférica é uma condição rara, de etiologia multifatorial. Dormência, parestesia, redução de força muscular e dor neuropática são sintomas comuns. O tratamento consiste em uso de anticonvulsivantes e antidepressivos. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o caso de dor crônica refratária a diversas terapias de uma paciente com contraindicação absoluta para uso de todos os fármacos anticonvulsivantes e antidepressivos. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 40 anos, com história de neuralgia do trigêmeo abordada previamente com cirurgia, com cefaleia occipital crônica refratária à radiofrequência e polineuropatia bilateral T4 sensorial e motora após meningite viral. No curso do tratamento, apresentou grave farmacodermia (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms - Síndrome DRESS) após o uso de carbamazepina e outros anticonvulsivantes, além de reação alérgica a todos analgésicos e opioides, exceto morfina. Optou-se por analgesia teste por via peridural, durante 5 dias, com bolus intermitentes e diários de morfina para avaliação de possibilidade de implante de bomba de morfina. CONCLUSÃO: O teste foi considerado bem-sucedido e a paciente encaminhada para neurocirurgia. No seguimento de 6 meses após implante de bomba por via subaracnoidea, esta estratégia se mostrou eficaz no controle da dor secundária à polineuropatia.

Psychotherapy in the treatment of chronic refractory orofacial pain. Case reports / Psicoterapia no tratamento da dor orofacial crônica refratária. Relato de casos

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Psychological intervention can contribute to repairing the quality of life and altering behavior while dealing with chronic orofacial pain, especially those that can become refractory to treatments. Thus, the objective of this study was to present the narratives of three patients with refractory chronic neuropathic pain during the process of psychotherapeutic intervention and the follow-up results. CASE REPORTS: Pain behavior, pain perception and depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed. Patients were under treatment at the Orofacial Pain Clinic and the instruments used in the beginning and end of psychotherapy were the visual analog scale, Beck Inventories (anxiety and depression), Wisconsin Pain Inventory, McGill Pain Questionnaire and Pain Catastrophizing Scale. They attended weekly 50-minute sessions. Each narrative was qualitatively analyzed and the comparison between the evaluations made before and after psychotherapy was included in the context of a phenomenological approach. CONCLUSION: Emotional familiar conflicts and fear of pain crises were the most important aspects described by these patients. Case 1 presented the less cooperative profile and secondary gains. Despite of that, all cases presented improvement and psychotherapy helped to cope with their problems and pain. There was a remarkable impact on the life of patients as well as on their cooperation with pain treatments while helping the patients to build a proactive attitude and to understand their role in their condition.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A intervenção psicoterapêutica é uma ferramenta importante para melhorar a qualidade de vida de pacientes com dor orofacial crônica, especialmente aqueles que se tornam refratários aos tratamentos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar, na forma de narrativa, três casos de pacientes com dor facial refratária ao longo do processo de intervenção psicoterapêutica e os resultados obtidos. RELATO DOS CASOS: Observou-se o comportamento, a percepção da dor e sintomas ansiosos e depressivos. Os pacientes estavam sob tratamento na Equipe de Dor Orofacial e os instrumentos utilizados no início e no final da intervenção foram a escala visual analógica, os Inventários de Beck para Ansiedade e Depressão, o Inventário de Dor de Wisconsin, o Questionário de Dor McGill e a Escala de Catastrofização de Dor. Os pacientes foram atendidos semanalmente em sessões de 50 minutos. Cada narrativa foi analisada qualitativamente e a comparação entre as avaliações (antes e depois do tratamento) foi incluída em um contexto de abordagem fenomenológica. CONCLUSÃO: Conflitos familiares emocionais e medo das crises de dor foram os aspectos mais importantes descritos pelos pacientes. O caso 1 apresentou um perfil menos cooperador, embora todos tenham apresentado melhora em algum âmbito avaliado. A proposta psicoterapêutica os auxiliou no enfrentamento do sofrimento por conta de seus problemas e da dor. Houve um impacto notável na vida dos pacientes como em sua cooperação com os tratamentos, uma vez que aprender a lidar com seu sofrimento os conduziu a uma postura mais proativa através do entendimento de seus papéis no tratamento da condição dolorosa.

A case of AQP4-IgG-negative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with initial clinical manifestation of painful trigeminal neuropathy and literature review / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations and imaging of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) with negative aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G antibody (AQP4-IgG) with initial clinical manifestation of painful trigeminal neuropathy.Methods:The symptoms, signs, imaging examinations, diagnosis and treatment of a case of AQP4-IgG-negative NMOSD in neurology department of Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were reported and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:In the first episode, the patient started with right-sided facial pain with segmental paresthesia in the left limb. And In the second episode, the patient started with intractable hiccups and vomiting with weakness and paresthesia in the left limb. Magnetic resonance imaging of the skull and spinal cord revealed that the lesion involved the medulla oblongata and cervical medulla. AQP4 antibody, myelin oligodendrocytes glycoprotein (MOG) antibody, myelin basic protein (MBP) antibody and oligoclonal bands(OCB) of serum and cerebrospinal fluid were negative. The clinical diagnosis was AQP4-IgG-negative NMOSD. After treatments with hormonal anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy, the patient′s facial pain, sensory abnormalities, hiccups, vomiting and limb weakness improved significantly.Conclusions:Painful trigeminal neuropathy may be the initial clinical manifestation of AQP4-IgG-negative NMOSD. NMOSD of presenting solely with painful trigeminal neuropathy is easy to be misdiagnosed and missed. Magnetic resonance examination is helpful for the early diagnosis of NMOSD.

Effectiveness of nonsurgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia: an overview protocol / A efetividade dos tratamentos não cirúrgicos na neuralgia do trigêmeo: um protocolo de overview

ABSTRACT Purpose: to present an overview protocol for systematic reviews to synthesize and describe available evidence on the effectiveness of nonsurgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: the protocol follows the method proposed by PRISMA-P guidelines for protocol reports. The search will be made in MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, SpeechBITE, PeDRO, and the grey literature (Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses), with no restriction on language or time of publication. A search strategy developed for MEDLINE will be adapted for each database. Two independent reviewers will screen the articles by title and abstract. Then, they will read the full texts of included articles, following the eligibility criteria. In case of disagreements, a third reviewer will come to a consensus. The data will be extracted with a standardized form. Information on the risk of bias and GRADE assessment will be recorded. AMSTAR-2 will assess the overall result reliability of the systematic reviews. Results will be presented in a flowchart, tables, and a narrative description. Final Considerations: once carried out, this protocol will describe the current body of research on the topic and identify existing gaps on the basis of evidence.

RESUMO Objetivo: apresentar um protocolo de Overview das revisões sistemáticas (RSs) para sintetizar e descrever evidências disponíveis sobre a efetividade dos tratamentos não cirúrgicos na neuralgia do trigêmeo. Métodos: o protocolo seguirá o método proposto pelas diretrizes do PRISMA-P para relato de protocolos. A busca será realizada nas bases de dados eletrônicas: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Lilacs, COCHRANE, Web of Science, Scopus, SpeechBITE, PeDRO, além de consulta à literatura cinzenta (Google Scholar e ProQuest Dissertations and Theses), sem restrições de idioma ou período de publicação. Uma estratégia de busca foi desenvolvida para MEDLINE e será adaptada para cada base de dados. O rastreio dos artigos pelo título e resumo será realizado por dois revisores independentes. Em seguida, farão leitura dos textos completos dos artigos incluídos, conforme os critérios de elegibilidade. Em discordância, um terceiro revisor fará o consenso. Os dados serão extraídos por meio de um formulário padronizado. Serão registradas informações de risco de viés e avaliação do GRADE. A ferramenta AMSTAR II avaliará a confiança geral dos resultados das RSs. Os resultados serão apresentados em um fluxograma, tabelas e descrição narrativa. Considerações Finais: a execução deste protocolo descreverá o corpo atual de pesquisa sobre o tema e identificará lacunas existentes na base de evidências.

Hemodynamic abnormality in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate specificity of neurovascular compression in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) by three-dimension reconstruction and computational fluid dynamics.Methods:Clinical characteristics and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 20 patients with both PTN and single artery compression (PTN group) and 10 patients without PTN but having neurovascular contact in MRI images (control group) in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2019 were collected and analyzed. After three-dimension reconstruction of the MRI images, curvature of the arterial loop, angle between the plane of arterial loop and the trigeminal nerve and location of the compression were observed. Then bidirectional structure-fluid coupling based on the optimized stereolithography models of arterial loop and nerve were processed by ANSYS 19.2 software. In the location of the compression of contact, equivalent stress (ES) of arterial loop on the nerve, shearing stress (SS) of the blood flow and local deformation of the nerve were iteratively computed. All parameters were analyzed and compared between the PTN group and the control group, and the correlation analysis was proceeded between the anatomical parameters and hemodynamical parameters.Results:The curvature of arterial loop [0.21(0.12) mm -1vs 0.13(0.07) mm -1, U=34.00, P<0.05], the angle between vascular loop and nerve [69.70(30.67)° vs 43.40(37.21)°, U=38.00, P<0.05] in the PTN group were significantly greater than those in the control group, and the location of compression was significantly closer to the root of nerve in the PTN group [PTN group: (4.23±1.29) mm vs control group: (5.54±1.85) mm, t=-2.26, P<0.05]. The average SS [15 952.48(5 365.56) Pa vs 12 501.97(6 355.26) Pa, U=53.00, P<0.05], ES [24 965.65(7 693.22) Pa vs 14 992.99(9 824.08) Pa, U=32.00, P<0.05] in the PTN group were significantly greater than those in the control group. The curvature of arterial loop was positively correlated with the SS ( r=0.931, P<0.05) and ES ( r=0.962, P<0.05), and the latter two ( r=0.787, P<0.05; r=0.853, P<0.05) were positively correlated with the local neural deformation. Conclusions:In patients with PTN, offending artery compresses the root of nerve by greater arterial curvature and angle between the arterial loop and nerve. These anatomical differences will cause significantly greater SS, ES and local neural deformation.

Neuralgia del Trigémino, del Glosofaríngeo y Post-herpética en Pacientes del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio (HUSI) Bogota, Colombia

RESUMEN: Determinar las características clínicas, pautas para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y evolución de la neuralgia del trigémino, postherpética y del nervio glosofaríngeo. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de 119 historias clínicas de pacientes diagnosticados con neuralgia del trigémino, glosofaríngeo y postherpética tratados en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, registrando datos de sexo, edad, antecedentes médicos, exámenes complementarios, características clínicas, tratamientos y evolución. Se revisaron 119 historias clínicas, de las cuales 86 pertenecían a mujeres y 33 a hombres, el 84 % correspondían a neuralgias del trigémino, el 11,7 º% a post- herpética, y el 2,5% en el glosofaríngeo. El lado afectado más común fue el lado izquierdo con un 54%, las ramas más afectadas en la neuralgia del trigémino fue la maxilar y mandibular (V2- V3), en la postherpética la oftálmica (V1), la patología concomitante más frecuente hallada en el grupo fue la HTA, el tipo de dolor más frecuente fue el lancinante con un 82,4%. Los medicamentos más utilizados fueron la carbamazepina (60,5%) seguida de pregabalina (29,4%), en tratamientos quirúrgicos la radiofrecuencia fue la más empleada en un 32 %. 30 pacientes presentaron recaídas que en general fueron manejadas con aumento de las dosis de los medicamentos. Este estudio muestra una similitud con la literatura reportada, presentando más casos de neuralgia de trigémino, seguida de la post herpética y por último del glosofaríngeo. Más frecuente en mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 60 años, afectando en mayor proporción la rama mandibular y maxilar en la neuralgia de trigémino y en la postherpética la oftálmica.

ABSTRACT: To determine the clinical characteristics, guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and evolution of trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neu- ralgia. A descriptive study of 119 clinical histories of patients diagnosed with Trigeminal Neoplasia, glossopharyngeal and postherpetic treated at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, recording data such as: gender, age, medical history, diagnostic exams, clinical features, branches and side of the face affected, treatments and evolution. 86 clinical records of women and 33 of men were evaluated, 100 with trigeminal neuralgia, 14 postherpetic, 3 glossopharyngeal, the most common affected side was the left side with 51%, the most affected branches in trigeminal neuralgia was the V2-V3, postherpetic V1, the most frequent antecedent of the neuralgias was the AHT, the type of pain that was more frequent was the lancinanting with 82.4%. The most commonly used medication was carbamazepine (60.5%) and pregabalin (29.4%); in surgical treatments radiofrequency was the most used in 32%; 30 patients had relapses that were generally managed with increased doses. This study shows a similarity with the reported literature, presenting more cases of trigeminal neuralgia, followed by the herpetic and finally the glossopharyngeal neuralgia, finding more cases in women than in men, with an average age of 60 years, affecting in Greater proportion the mandibular and maxillary branch in the trigeminal neuralgia and in the postherpetic ophthalmic.

Internal Neurolysis (Nerve Combing) for Trigeminal Neuralgia without Neurovascular Compression

Objective The aim of the present study was to describe and evaluate the initial and the long-term clinical outcome of internal neurolysis (IN) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) without neurovascular compression (NVC). Methods A total of 170 patients diagnosed with TN were treated by posterior fossa exploration, during the period between April 2012 and October 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A (50 patients)was treated by IN and Group B (120 patients) received microvascular decompression (MVD). Surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Pain intensity was assessed by the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity score and BNI facial numbness score. Pain recurrence was statistically evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results Pain was completely relieved in 44 patients (88%) who underwent IN (group A); 3 (6%) experienced occasional pain but did not require medication (BNI 2). In group B, 113 (94%) experienced immediate pain relief after MVD. The median duration of follow-ups was 4 years (6 months to 7.5 years). In Group A, there was a meantime recurrence of 27 months in 3 patients (6%). The recurrence in Group B was of 5.8% during the follow-up period. There were no statistically significant differences in the surgical outcomes between the two groups. All patients with IN experienced some degree of numbness, 88% of the cases resolved in 6 months, on average. Conclusion Internal neurolysis is an effective, safe and durable treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia when NVC is absent.

Trigeminal neuralgia recurrence: a comparison of microvascular decompression and percutaneous balloon compression: a five years follow-up study / Neuralgia do trigêmeo recorrente: uma comparação entre descompressão microvascular e compressão percutânea por balão: um estudo de acompanhamento de cinco anos

ABSTRACT Background: About 50% of patients that suffer from trigeminal neuralgia do not experience sustained benefit from the use of oral medication. For their adequate management, a few surgical procedures are available. Of these, percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) and microvascular decompression (MD) are two of the most performed worldwide. In this retrospective study, we present the outcomes of these techniques through estimation of initial pain relief and subsequent recurrence rate. Methods: Thirty-seven patients with medically refractory trigeminal pain surgically treated at Hospital Cajuru, Curitiba, Brazil, with PBC, MD or both between 2013 and 2018 were enrolled into this retrospective study. The post-procedural rate for pain relief and recurrence and associations between patient demographics and outcomes were analyzed. Results: MD had an earlier recurrence time than balloon compression. Of the 37 patients, the mean age was 61.6 years, approximately one third were male and most had type I neuralgia. The most affected branch was the maxillary (V2). The time for recurrence after surgery was on average 11.8 months for PBC and 9.0 months for MD. Complications were seen only with microsurgery. Conclusions: MD presented with a more precocious recurrence of pain than PBC in this article. Moreover, it had a higher recurrence rate than described in the literature as well, which is possibly explained by the type of graft (muscle) that was used to separate the neurovascular structures.

RESUMO Introdução: Cerca de 50% dos pacientes com neuralgia do trigêmeo não apresenta benefícios a longo prazo com o uso de medicação oral. Para a manutenção do tratamento, algumas opções cirúrgicas estão disponíveis, sendo a compressão percutânea por balão (CPB) e a descompressão microvascular (DM) algumas das modalidades mais realizadas em todo o mundo. Neste estudo retrospectivo, apresentamos os desfechos dessas técnicas por meio de estimativa da melhora inicial da dor e da taxa de recorrência subsequente. Métodos: Trinta e sete pacientes com dor trigeminal refratária ao tratamento medicamentoso tratados cirurgicamente no Hospital Cajuru, Curitiba, Brasil, com CPB, DM ou ambos entre 2013 e 2018 foram incluídos neste estudo retrospectivo. A taxa pós-procedimento para alívio e recorrência da dor e suas associações com a demografia e desfechos dos pacientes foram analisadas. Resultados: A DM foi associada a menor recorrência que a compressão por balão. Entre os 37 pacientes, a idade média foi de 61,6 anos, aproximadamente um terço eram do sexo masculino e a maioria apresentava neuralgia do tipo I. O ramo mais afetado foi o maxilar (V2). O tempo de recorrência após a cirurgia foi em média de 11,8 meses para CPB e 9,0 meses para DM. Foram vistas complicações apenas na microcirurgia. Conclusões: A DM apresentou recidiva mais precoce da dor em comparação à CPB. Além disso, apresentou uma taxa de recorrência mais alta do que a descrita na literatura, o que é possivelmente explicado pelo tipo de enxerto (músculo) usado para separar as estruturas neurovasculares.

Trigeminal neuralgia after corneal transplantation - a case report / Neuralgia do trigêmeo pós-transplante de córnea - relato de caso

ABSTRACT Description of a patient with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy submitted to a corneal transplant, performed by Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, which evolved with sudden, paroxysmal pain in the frontotemporal region, postoperatively. Due to the ophthalmologic picture of the patient, the attending physician believed in possible rejection of the graft, neglecting the complaint of pain. Even after a successful second transplant, performed due to primary failure, disabling pain persisted and the physician did not manage it. After years of investigation, consulting with several specialists, it was concluded the patient presented trigeminal neuralgia that had not been treated since the surgical procedure. In addition, it led to several psychosocial consequences. Therefore, it is essential to be aware trigeminal neuralgia is a possible outcome of corneal transplantation, and its symptoms should not be neglected by the attending physician, thus contributing to better management for transplanted patients.

RESUMO Descrição do relato de caso de uma paciente com distrofia endotelial de Fuchs submetida a transplante de córnea, realizado pela técnica DMEK, que evoluiu com quadro de dor súbita, paroxística, em região frontotemporal, no pós-operatório. Devido ao quadro oftalmológico da paciente, o médico assistente acreditava em possível rejeição do enxerto, negligenciando a dor. Mesmo após sucesso do segundo transplante, realizado devido à falência primária, as dores incapacitantes persistiam, e nenhuma conduta, por parte do médico, foi realizada. Após anos de investigação, mediante consultas com diversos especialistas, concluiu-se que a paciente apresentava um quadro de neuralgia do nervo trigêmeo que não tinha sido tratada desde a realização do procedimento cirúrgico. Além disso, apresentava uma série de consequências psicossociais. Portanto, torna-se imprescindível entender que a neuralgia do nervo trigêmeo é um possível desfecho do transplante de córnea, e seus sintomas não devem ser negligenciados por parte do médico assistente, contribuindo para melhores condutas para os pacientes transplantados.

Basilar artery dolichoectasia an unusual and rare cause of secondary trigeminal neuralgia: a clinical report / Dolicoectasia da artéria basilar uma causa incomum e rara de neuralgia do trigêmeo secundária: um relato clínico

Objective: Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia often consults a dentist for relief of their symptoms as the pain seems to be arising from teeth and allied oral structures. Basilar artery Dolichoectasia is an unusual and very rare cause of secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia as it compresses the Trigeminal nerve Root Entry Zone. Case reports: We report three cases of Trigeminal Neuralgia caused by Basilar artery Dolichoectasia compression. The corneal reflex was found absent in all three of the cases along with mild neurological deficits in one case. Multiplanar T1/T2W images through the brain disclosed an aberrant, cirsoid (S-shaped) and torturous Dolichoectasia of basilar artery offending the Trigeminal nerve Root Entry Zone. Discussion:Based on these findings we propose a protocol for general dentist for diagnosis of patients with trigeminal neuralgia and timely exclusion of secondary intracranial causes. Conclusion: General dentists and oral surgeons ought to consider this diagnosis in patients presenting with chronic facial pain especially pain mimicking neuralgia with loss of corneal reflex or other neurosensory deficit on the face along with nighttime pain episodes. Timely and accurate diagnosis and prompt referral to a concerned specialist can have an enormous impact on patient survival rate in such cases (AU)

Objetivo: Pacientes com Neuralgia do Trigêmeo frequentemente consultam um dentista para alívio de seus sintomas visto que a dor parece surgir dos dentes e estruturas orais relacionadas. A Dolicoectasia da artéria basilar é uma causa incomum e muito rara de Neuralgia do Trigêmeo secundária, pois comprime a zona de entrada da raiz do nervo trigêmeo. Relatos de casos: Relatamos três casos de Neuralgia do Trigêmeo causada por compressão por Dolicoectasia da artéria basilar. O reflexo da córnea se encontrava ausente em todos os três casos, juntamente com leves déficits neurológicos em um caso. Imagens multiplanares T1/T2W através do cérebro revelaram uma Dolicoectasia cirsóide (em forma de S) anômala e tortuosa da artéria basilar que atingiu a zona de entrada da raiz do nervo trigêmeo. Discussão: Com base nesses achados, propomos para o dentista clínico-geral um protocolo para diagnóstico de pacientes com Neuralgia do Trigêmeo e exclusão oportuna de causas intracranianas secundárias. Conclusão: Os dentistas clínicos-gerais e cirurgiões orais devem considerar este diagnóstico em pacientes que apresentam dor facial crônica, especialmente dor que mimetiza neuralgia com perda do reflexo da córnea ou outro déficit neurossensorial na face junto com episódios de dor noturna. O diagnóstico oportuno e preciso e o encaminhamento imediato a um especialista em questão podem ter um enorme impacto na taxa de sobrevida do paciente em tais casos (AU)