• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.229-234
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• 2000

The patient, 62-years-old woman, had a constant dull pain in the right mandible and an intermittent spontaneous burning sensation of the mouth. The pain began 6 months ago. About 5 years ago, a trauma in her right mandible which was so severe that kept her in the hospital for 2 days. This was followed by mouth opening disturbance with pain for about 2 years. However, she did not have a treatment for the temporomandibular disorder symptoms. After then, she experienced the trigeminal neuralgia characterized by an electrical pain which lasted about 30 minutes in her right face and head when touching the skin or hair. After taking a year course treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, the symptom disappeared. The pain was a constant dull pain and a intermittent burning pain which are contradictory. And the pain responded to various modalities such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drug, carbamazepine, and amitriptyline, among which carbamazepine was most effective. The diagnosis was clinically made as an atypical trigeminal neuralgia. The term 'atypical' is used when there is something unknown and the problem is not identified. It is thought that an atypical pain may be approached in the perspective of chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and myofascial pain, the mchanisms of which are poorly understood. As the knowledge of pain physiology improves, there needs to be modification and re-evaluation. Pain disorders must be classified on the basis of an understanding of the underlying mechanism and etiology.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.136-142
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• 2021

Purpose: Oral and facial sensation is affected by various factors, including trauma and disease. This study assessed the clinical profile of patients diagnosed with sensory dysfunction and investigated their sensory perception using simple qualitative sensory tests. Methods: Based on a retrospective review of the medical records, we analyzed a total of 68 trigeminal nerve branches associated with sensory dysfunction in 52 subjects. We analyzed the frequency and etiology of sensory dysfunction, and the frequency of different types of sensory perception in response to qualitative sensory testing using tactile and pin-prick stimuli. Results: The inferior alveolar nerve branch was the most frequently involved in sensory dysfunction (88.5%). Third molar extraction (36.5%) and implant surgery (36.5%) were the most frequent etiological factors associated with sensory dysfunction. Hypoesthesia was the most frequent sensory response to tactile stimuli (60.3%). Pin-prick stimuli elicited hyperalgesia, hypoalgesia, and analgesia in 32.4%, 27.9%, and 36.8%, respectively. A significant association was found between the two kinds of stimuli (p=0.260). Conclusions: Sensory dysfunction frequently occurs in the branches of the trigeminal nerve, including the inferior alveolar nerve, mainly due to trauma associated with dental treatment. Simple qualitative sensory testing can be conveniently used to screen sensory dysfunction in patients with altered sensation involving oral and facial regions.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.217-221
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• 2022

Neurogenic muscular atrophy is muscle wasting and weakness caused by trauma or disease of the nerve that innervates the muscle. We describe a case of unilateral trigeminal neuropathy and neurogenic muscular atrophy of the masticatory muscle caused by a tumor in the foramen ovale. A 59-year-old man visited our clinic complaining of difficulty in right-sided mastication. There were no evident clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. However, severe atrophy of the right masseter and temporalis muscles and hypesthesia of the right side mandibular nerve area were confirmed. Through T1 and T2 signals on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a mass suspected of a neurogenic tumor was observed in the foramen ovale and cavernous sinus. Severe atrophy of all masticatory muscles on the right side was observed. This rare case shows trigeminal neuropathy caused by a tumor around the foramen ovale and atrophy of the ipsilateral masticatory muscles. For an accurate diagnosis, it is essential to identify the underlying cause of muscle atrophy with neurologic symptoms present. This can be done through a more detailed clinical examination, including sensory testing and brain MRI, and consider a referral to neurology or neurosurgery for the differential diagnosis of the intracranial disorder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2024

This study evaluated a case of trigeminal nerve stimulation during acupotomy at a site 5 pun left of GV16. The study participant was a 52-year-old male suffering from upper neck pain and numbness, which was managed by acupotomy at a site 5 pun left of GV16. During acupotomy, the patient experienced unexpected numbness and stiffness of the left zygomatic bone. This area corresponds to the distribution of the maxillary nerve, which is the second branch of the trigeminal nerve. After approximately one month, symptoms of numbness and stiffness disappeared without rendering medical treatment. These side effects are presumed to be associated with the trigeminocervical complex and stimulation of the trigeminal nucleus within the spinal cord. Thus, during the acupotomy of the upper neck, especially at GV16, the needles should be inserted slowly, and the patient's response should also be monitored.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2017

The effects of acidic pH on several voltage-dependent ion channels, such as voltage-dependent $K^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ channels, and hyperpolarization-gated and cyclic nucleotide-activated cation (HCN) channels, were examined using a whole-cell patch clamp technique on mechanically isolated rat mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons. The application of a pH 6.5 solution had no effect on the peak amplitude of voltage-dependent $K^+$currents. A pH 6.0 solution slightly, but significantly inhibited the peak amplitude of voltage-dependent $K^+$ currents. The pH 6.0 also shifted both the current-voltage and conductance-voltage relationships to the depolarization range. The application of a pH 6.5 solution scarcely affected the peak amplitude of membrane currents mediated by HCN channels, which were profoundly inhibited by the general HCN channel blocker $Cs^+$ (1 mM). However, the pH 6.0 solution slightly, but significantly inhibited the peak amplitude of HCN-mediated currents. Although the pH 6.0 solution showed complex modulation of the current-voltage and conductance-voltage relationships, the midpoint voltages for the activation of HCN channels were not changed by acidic pH. On the other hand, voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels were significantly inhibited by an acidic pH. The application of an acidic pH solution significantly shifted the current-voltage and conductance-voltage relationships to the depolarization range. The modulation of several voltage-dependent ion channels by an acidic pH might affect the excitability of mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons, and thus physiological functions mediated by the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus could be affected in acidic pH conditions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.583-591
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the pathogenesis of canine herpesvirus(CHV) infection in dogs. The 17 puppies, one day old, delivered from CHV seronegative 3 dams were divided into two groups. The 13 puppies were inoculated intranasally with 1ml of CHV-KK inoculum($5{\times}10^{5.6}TCID_{50}/ml$) and 4 puppies were served as control. And then the puppies were sacrificed at 2, 4, 6 and 7 days after the treatment, and sampled nasal mucosa, trigeminal nerve, trigeminal ganglion, bone marrow, eye, brain and other major organs for the immunohistochemical examination. Distribution of CHV antigens was limited in cytoplasms and nuclei of necrotic nasal epthelia at 2 days after infection. At 4 days after infection, CHV antigens were detected in vascular walls and peripheral nerves of nasal lamina propria, reticuloendothelial cells of spleen, interstitium of kidney, leptomeningeal vascular walls and alveolar walls, At 6 and 7 days after infection, CHV antigens were detected in all of the necrotic area. CHV antigens were also detected in vascular endothelial cells of various organs and in blood leukocytes from 4 days after infection. Among the six puppies in which necrotic lesions of central nervous system were observed, CHV antigens were detected in trigeminal ganglion, trigeminal nerve and ventroposteriomedial nucleus of four puppies and in spinal trigeminal nucleus of three puppies. These results indicate that the generalized focal necrosis of all organs including brain and eyes in canine herpesvirus infection were resulted from generalized vasculitis with leukocyte-associated viremia, and also the hemonecrotizing meningoencephalitis was resulted from spreading of CHV via blood and nerve trunk.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.218-221
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• 2005

This report describes a case of dizziness in a patient with trigeminal neuralgia that was caused by a vestibular schwannoma. A 60-year-old man with a history of pain on his left cheek, chin, molar and tongue for 5 months was diagnosed as suffering with trigeminal neuralgia of the left mandibular nerve, and this was caused by a left vestibular schwannoma. The diagnosis of the tumor was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and so gamma knife surgery was performed 1 month later. At that time, the patient had been referred to the pain clinic due to allodynia on the tongue and gingival, and hypesthesia was also present on the left half of the face. Trigeminal nerve block with dehydrogenated alcohol and stellate ganglion block with 1% mepivacaine were performed and oral medication with diphenylhydantoin was started. The symptoms were alleviated after nerve block and oral medication. Dizziness, blurred vision and ataxia then developed from the 13th hospital day. We considered the symptoms as a side effect of diphenylhydantoin and we reduced the dose of diphenylhydantoin. However, the symptoms grew worse. Another brain MRI showed a slight increase of the tumor size and a mass effect with displacement of the adjacent organs, and hydrocephalus was also noted. This case shows the importance of considering the secondary symptoms that are due to brain tumor while treating trigeminal neuralgia. The changes of the brain tumors should also be considered along with the presence of new side effects.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.186-189
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• 2008

Objective : We assessed the surgical results of percutaneous balloon compression in 50 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : Fifty patients with follow-up period of more than 12 months were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 42 months (range, 12-82). The mean age was 65.8 years (range, 27-83). Seventeen patients (34%) had other previous surgical procedures. The balloon was inflated by injecting radio-contrast media under brief general anesthesia according to Mullan’s technique. The mean inflating time was 88 seconds (range, 60-120). The whole procedure took about 20 minutes. Results : We reported excellent and good results in 70% of the cases, poor in 6% as annoying dysesthesia, recurrence in 16%, and 8% failure due to technical deficiencies. Forty-six patients (92%) were initially relieved of their pain. There were permanent motor weakness of the masseter muscle in 4% of patients and transitory diplopia in 8%. Neither anesthesia dolorosa nor keratitis occurred. Almost all patients (92%) were discharged postoperatively within two days. Conclusion : These results indicate that balloon compression would be an effective method with acceptable morbidity, technically, It can be performed rapidly and simply in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2017

The present study investigated the role of spinal glutamate recycling in the development of orofacial inflammatory pain or trigeminal neuropathic pain. Experiments were carried out on male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 230 and 280 g. Under anesthesia, a polyethylene tube was implanted in the atlanto-occipital membrane for intracisternal administration. IL-$1{\beta}$-induced inflammation was employed as an orofacial acute inflammatory pain model. IL-$1{\beta}$ (10 ng) was injected subcutaneously into one vibrissal pad. We used the trigeminal neuropathic pain animal model produced by chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve. DL-threo-${\beta}$-benzyloxyaspartate (TBOA) or methionine sulfoximine (MSO) was administered intracisternally to block the spinal glutamate transporter and the glutamine synthetase activity in astroglia. Intracisternal administration of TBOA produced mechanical allodynia in naïve rats, but it significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia in rats with interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$-induced inflammatory pain or trigeminal neuropathic pain. In contrast, intracisternal injection of MSO produced anti-allodynic effects in rats treated with IL-$1{\beta}$ or with infraorbital nerve injury. Intracisternal administration of MSO did not produce mechanical allodynia in naive rats. These results suggest that blockade of glutamate recycling induced pro-nociception in na?ve rats, but it paradoxically resulted in anti-nociception in rats experiencing inflammatory or neuropathic pain. Moreover, blockade of glutamate reuptake could represent a new therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic pain conditions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.814-820
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• 2020

Objective : Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe neuropathic condition that affects several elderly patients. It is characterized by uncontrolled pain that significantly impacts the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the condition should be treated as an emergency. In the majority of patients, pain can be controlled with medication; however, other treatment modalities are being explored in those who become refractory to drug treatment. The use of the trigeminal nerve block with a local anesthetic serves as an excellent adjunct to drug treatment. This technique rapidly relieves the patient of pain while medications are being titrated to effective levels. We report the efficacy and safety of percutaneous trigeminal nerve block in elderly patients with TN at our outpatient clinic. Methods : Twenty-one patients older than 65 years with TN received percutaneous nerve block at our outpatient clinic. We used bupivacaine (1 mL/injection site) to block the supraorbital, infraorbital, superior alveolar, mental, and inferior alveolar nerves according to pain sites of patients. Results : All patients reported relief from pain, which decreased by approximately 78% after 2 weeks of nerve block. The effect lasted for more than 4 weeks in 12 patients and for 6 weeks in two patients. There were no complications. Conclusion : Percutaneous nerve block procedure performed at our outpatient clinic provided immediate relief from pain to elderly patients with TN. The procedure is simple, has no serious side effects, and is easy to apply.