• 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 Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.243-250
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• 2012

Trigeminal nerve injuries due to invasive dental procedures such as implant surgery and extraction is one of the most serious issues in dentistry and may provoke medico-legal problems. Thus, for objective and reliable assessment of nerve injury, a need of QST (quantitative sensory testing) is emphasized and thermal threshold test is an essential part of QST, reported to have acceptable reliability in the orofacial region. This pilot study aimed to evaluate thermal thresholds for limited cases of trigeminal nerve injures. The study investigated 18 clinical cases with trigeminal nerve injuries who visited Department of Oral Medicine, Dankook Univeristy Dental Hospital during the period from May 2011 to Oct 2012. Thermal thresholds was measured by Thermal Sensory Analyzer, TSA-II (Medoc, Israel). Their CDT(cold detection threshold) was significantly decreased in the affected sides compared to the unaffected sides. Other parameters such as WDT(warm detection threshold), CPT(cold pain threshold) and HPT(heat pain threshold) did not show statistical difference between the affected and unaffected sides. Further researches are required to compare thermal thresholds relative to types of nerve deficits such as thermal hyper- or hypoesthesia and hyper- or hypoalgesia for larger sample.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.48-48
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• 2020

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.271-277
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcome of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) epidermoids presenting with trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : Between 1996 and 2004, 10 patients with typical symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia were found to have cerebellopontine angle epidermoids and treated surgically at our hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the clinico-radiological records of the patients. Results : Total resection was done in 6 patients (60%). Surgical removal of tumor and microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve were performed simultaneously in one case. One patient died due to postoperative aseptic meningitis. The others showed total relief from pain. During follow-up, no patients experienced recurrence of their trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Conclusion : The clinical features of TN from CPA epidermoids are characterized by symptom onset at a younger age compared to TN from vascular causes. In addition to removal of the tumor, the possibility of vascular compression at the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve should be kept in mind. If it exists, a microvascular decompression (MVD) should be performed. Recurrence of tumor is rare in both total and subtotal removal cases, but long-term follow-up is required.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.782-791
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• 1997

Glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) are a group of intermediate filaments that are distributed in the cytoplasm of many type of glial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine change of GFAP immunoreactivity(GFAP-IR) in rat trigeminal ganglion satellite cells in response to pulp exposure. The immunohistochemistry was carried out using the avidinbiotin-peroxidase complex(ABC) method and subsequently stained with AEC(3-aminoethyl-9-carbasol). 1. Contol group; Central root astrocytes had strong GFAP-IR, but ganglion satellite cells occasionlly had GFAP-IR. This reaction patterns of ganglion satellite cells was not concenturated in any specific region of trigeminal ganglion. 2. Three day pulp exposure group; There was a highly GFAP-IR in satellite cells of trigeminal ganglion in maxillary region. GFAP-IR in neighboring mandibular and ophthalmic regions was less intense compared to maxillary region. 3. Seven day pulp exposure group; In this group, GFAP-IR that was increased compared to control group was seen in the maxillary region. But GFAP-IR was less intense compared to three day pulp exposure group. These results suggest that GFAP in satellite cell increase in specific region of trigeminal ganglion after pulp exposure and offer useful tool in trigeminal pain research.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.565-574
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• 2021

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe form of pain that affects the daily activities of a patient. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy is an emerging option for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TENS therapy as an adjunct to drug therapy for the treatment of TN. Methods: A total of 52 patients diagnosed with TN according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (version 3) were included. Each patient was randomized to either the TENS or placebo TENS groups. Intervention was given in continuous mode and 100-Hz frequency for 20 mins biweekly for 6 weeks. Parameters were measured at baseline, TENS completion and 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year of follow up. The parameters observed were mean carbamazepine dose, mean visual analog scale (VAS) score, mean present pain intensity (PPI) score, and functional outcome. Non-parametric analyses, one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for intragroup comparisons, while the Mann-Whitney U test and independent t-test were used for intergroup comparisons of variables. The chi-square test was applied to analyze categorical data. Results: Compared to the placebo TENS group, the mean dose of carbamazepine in the TENS group was significantly reduced at TENS completion, as well as at 6 months and 1 year follow up. Changes in mean VAS score, mean PPI score, and functional outcome did not show significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: TENS therapy does not lead to any changes in pain levels but it may reduce the mean dose of carbamazepine when used as an adjunct treatment in patients with TN.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1228-1232
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• 2000

Objective : This study was undertaken to analysis gamma knife radiosurgery(GKR) effect for trigeminal neuralgia after long term follow-up. Methods : There were 11 trigeminal neuralgia patients. The authors irradiated 67-85 Gy maximally to the nerve root entry zone(NREZ) using single 4mm collimator, just 1-6mm lateral side from the junction of the trigeminal nerve and pons. For the first 3 cases, we targeted the junction between the nerve and the pons. In theses cases, the pons was irradiated 56 or 60 gray in the surface. In the later 8 cases, the isocenter is positioned more distal side so that the brain stem surface would receive less than the 20% isodose. Results : The average follow-up duration was 25 months(13-50 months). Pain relief was noticed within a week to 5 months. In 3 patients, pain was relieved completely and in other 3 patients, mark improvement was achieved(80-90%). Remaining 4 patients showed significant improvement(30-50%). There was recurrence in only one case and she complained with similar intensity of pain at the last follow-up. There was no significant complication related to GKR. Conclusion : GKR is considered effective for trigeminal neuralgia based on the long term follow-up evaluation, but more clinical experience is needed to evaluate the efficacy of GKR for trigeminal neuralgia as a primary treatment modality.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.237-240
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• 2008

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a disorder characterized by herpetic eruptions on the auricle, facial paralysis, and vestibulocochlear dysfunction, and is attributed to varicella zoster virus infection in the geniculate ganglion. Ramsay Hunt syndrome accounts for about 10% cases of facial palsy. We report a 46-year-old healthy man developed left side skin vesicles on the face with severe pain. We thought of the trigeminal herpes zoster. He was treated with intravenous acyclovir, and stellate ganglion block daily. Four days later, brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed small areas of enhancement in the seventh cranial nerve and eighth cranial nerve, not in the fifth cranial nerve. Eight days later, the left facial palsy was come. We confirmed him as Ramsay Hunt syndrome. We started steroid therapy immediately. He recovered completely a month later. The patient was improved through the early antiviral therapy, steroid medication and stellate ganglion block.

• Journal of Rhinology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2018

Postoperative maxillary cyst (POMC) is relatively common complication among patients who underwent Caldwell-Luc surgery. Patients with POMC usually have no symptoms, although cyst extension can result in bone destruction or cystic infection with pain. The trigeminal nerve consists of the ophthalmic nerve, maxillary nerve, and mandibular nerve. Among these branches, the maxillary nerve runs to the lateral and frontal sides of the maxillary sinus wall. POMC can rarely lead to trigeminal neuropathy caused by cyst enlargement that compresses some branches of the trigeminal nerve. Recently, we experienced a case with trigeminal neuralgia due to POMC. The patient was successfully treated with inferior meatal antrostomy. We report this rare case with a literature review.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2000

Background: Trigeminovascular system is implicated in the pathophysiology of the headache in migraine. This study was designed to evaluate the pattern of Fos protein expression in trigeminal nociceptive central pathway after meningeal stimulation of rats by capsaicin. Methods: The expression of Fos protein was examined by immunohistochemistry in thalamus, brainstem and upper cervical cord (at three levels corresponding to obex, 0.8 mm and 2 mm below obex) 2 hours after intracisternal injection of either diluted capsaicin solution (0.1 ml, $61{\mu}g/ml$) or normal saline (0.1 ml) through a catheter placed in the cisterna magna, or following epidural instillation of diluted capsaicin solution in urethane-anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: Fos immunoreactivity was strongly expressed within lamina I, II of bilateral trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) after cisternal capsaicin injection and magnitude of expression was greatest at level 2.0 mm below obex. Epidural capsaicin caused much less labelling than cisternal capsaicin. Fos positive cells were also observed in area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract, medullary reticular nucleus and midline nuclear groups of the thalamus with similar intensity between capsaicin and control group. Conclusions: These results indicate that the injection of capsaicin into the cisterna magna is an effective stimulus for the induction of Fos protein within TNC through activation of trigeminovascular afferents and this animal model can be useful for the evaluation of the pathophysiology and drug development in migraine and related headache.