Sixth cranial nerve palsy and trigeminal neuropathic pain due to a space-occupying lesion

J Oral Sci. 2024 Jan 16;66(1):85-87. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.23-0155. Epub 2023 Oct 19.

Abstract

Various neuropathies of the cranil nerves can accompany trigeminal neuropathic pain attributed to space-occupying lesions. In this case report, the patient presented with persistent intraoral pain and numbness on the right side of the face. Cranial nerve examination revealed dysfunctional eye movements, diplopia, and mechanical hyposensitivity in the mandibular region. The patient was diagnosed with neuropathy due to intracranial lesions and referred to the Department of Neurosurgery and Otorhinolaryngology. The patient was suspected of having malignant lymphoma and is currently undergoing neurosurgical intervention. This article discusses the importance of the examination of the cranial nerve for patients with persistent pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution.

Keywords: cranial nerve examination; space-occupying lesion; trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abducens Nerve Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Abducens Nerve Diseases* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neuralgia* / etiology
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia* / diagnosis
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia* / etiology
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia* / pathology