A Case Series Painful-Post Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy
Trigeminal Neuropathy
Dr Okoh
University of Benin Teaching Hospital
Dr Onyia
University of Benin Teaching Hospital
Izegboya Ukpebor
University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benincity, Edo State
Keywords: Trigeminal neuropathy, Trauma, Treatment outcomes
Abstract
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This paper reports the diversity of clinical presentations and underlying causes of painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy, various treatment outcomes and factors that may influence recovery.
METHODS: Summary of accounts of five patients that were diagnosed with painful post-traumatic neuropathy in the oral medicine clinic, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The cases were treated with pregabalin combined with vitamin B complex or neurobion (high dose vitamins B1, B6, and B12), and followed up for treatment outcomes.
CASE REPORTS: Case 1 was a 32-year old female. She started experiencing left facial pain with loss of sensation and taste on the left side of her tongue 6 weeks after surgical extraction of her lower left third molar. Case 2 was a 57-year old female with complaints of pain in the right preauricular region shortly after commencement of root canal treatment in her lower right second premolar. Pain was provoked by yawning and brushing the left side of her tongue. Case 3 was a 21-year old male who had complaints of pain and heaviness of the lower lip which began shortly after surgical extraction of lower right third molar. Case 4 was a 35-year old male, who started experiencing partial loss of sensation on the left side of the lower lip and the associated labial mucosa. The symptoms began immediately after surgical extraction of lower left third molar. Case 5 was a 48-year old female teacher who had a traumatic extraction of her upper left 1st molar and started experiencing loss of sensation on the left side of her upper lip afterwards. This persisted for 6 months prior to presentation and was associated with inadequate oral seal.
CONCLUSION: This study shows that painful-post traumatic trigeminal neuropathy has diverse clinical presentations. Prompt pharmacological intervention, and follow-up periods are needed to assess treatment outcomes.
Key words: Trigeminal neuropathy, Trauma, Treatment outcomes
.
Author Biography
Dr Okoh, University of Benin Teaching Hospital
Department of Oral pathology and medicine
Consultant, Oral medicine