Trigeminal neuropathy secondary to perineural invasion of head and neck carcinomas

Perineural spread of head and neck cancer is an uncommon cause of cranial n europathy. We studied five patients with cranial neuropathy resulting from perineural spread of head and neck carcinomas. Trigeminal neuropathy with f acial pain or paresthesias was the most common clinical manifestation. MRI in the coronal plane under gadolinium enhancement established the diagnosis by visualization of the lower divisions of the trigeminal nerve, Perineura l tumor spread can cause headaches in patients with head and neck cancer.