RECURRENT IDIOPATHIC TRIGEMINAL SENSORY NEUROPATHY

Idiopathic trigeminal neuropathy is a rare disorder characterized by t ransient sensory disturbances in the territory of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. Acute and chronic forms of the disease have been recognized, but to our knowledge no recurrent cases have been rep orted. Two cases of recurrent idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy are reported. The patients presented sensory alterations limited to t he territory of the trigeminal nerve in the absence of other clinical features. In both cases sensory disturbances began in the tongue and l ips and later spread throughout the face. The whole trigeminal nerve t erritory was involved in the first patient, but in the second patient only the second and third trigeminal branches were affected. There was no muscle weakness or pain, and the corneal reflex was present in bot h patients. The first patient recovered completely after 3 months, but the symptoms recurred in a similar fashion 3 years later. In the seco nd patient the symptoms occurred each winter for more than 10 years. T he conditions in these two patients could be considered as recurrent i diopathic forms of trigeminal sensory neuropathy.