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J Neurosurg 2019 Feb 1:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Peter Jannetta was a neurosurgery resident when he proposed the neurovascular compression theory. He built upon the astute observations of Dandy, Gardner, and others who, in the era before the operating microscope, had successfully ventured into the posterior fossa. In 1965, Jannetta performed cranial nerve microdissections for dental students and identified the trigeminal portio intermedia. Read More

Ter Arkh 2018 May;90(5):61-71

A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow, Russia.

Aim: To provide demographic, clinical, laboratory, ultrasound, radiological, morphological/ immunomorphological phenotype of IgG4-related ophthalmic diseases, which allowsmaking a differential diagnosis with granulomatous, autoimmune, inflammatory, endocrine and hematologic diseases affecting the eye and orbits.

Materials And Methods: From 2004 to 2016 108 (78.2%) of the 138 patients were diagnosed with non-tumoral lesions of eye and orbits. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(4):e14239

Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province.

Introduction: The objective of this systematic review protocol is to provide the methods for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture on the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN).

Methods And Analysis: We will search randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this subject in 8 electronic databases and they are Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Wan-Fang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). Other relevant literatures will be manually searched as a complement. Read More

PeerJ 2019 9;6:e6095. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland.

Background: Among over 100 types of viruses, eight can infect humans: herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpesviruses 6, 7, and 8 (HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8). After initial infection, the viruses remain latent for the lifetime of the host. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of six different herpesviruses: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, and HHV-6 in trigeminal and facial nerve ganglia among a random group of Polish population. Read More

Pain 2019 Jan;160(1):53-59

Department of Neurophysiology, CBTM, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.

The upcoming 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) of the World Health Organization (WHO) offers a unique opportunity to improve the representation of painful disorders. For this purpose, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) has convened an interdisciplinary task force of pain specialists. Here, we present the case for a reclassification of nervous system lesions or diseases associated with persistent or recurrent pain for ≥3 months. Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 18:fj201801957R. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; and.

A variety of mouse strains and sexes are used in studies of corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration. However, there is a gap of knowledge about corneal nerve density and its function in different mouse strains and sexes. In this study, we report a strain divergence of total and substance P (SP) sensory corneal nerves in uninjured mice. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2019 Jan;30(1):e77-e80

Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of microvascular decompression (MVD) and stereotactic gamma knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in the elderly.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 137 elderly cases with TN underwent MVD, partial sensory rhizotomy (PR) treatment from August 2007 to March 2017 and 56 cases underwent GKS treatment from May 2014 to February 2017 was made, compared the efficacy of MVD and GKS in different age groups.

Results: In 125 patients of MVD alone, the responsible vessels included 60 cases of superior cerebellar artery, 55 cases of anterior inferior cerebellar artery, 4 cases of venous vascular compression, 13 cases of mixed arteriovenous compression and 3 cases of vertebral artery, and 2 cases of no responsible vessel. Read More

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2019 Jan 22;65:23-30. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address:

Due to their morphological and physicochemical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) enhance the structural properties of several materials and are produced in great volumes. The production and the manufacturing of CNTs-incorporated products can lead to the potential environmental release of CNTs. For these reasons, CNTs can represent a serious concern for human health. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Nov 1:1-11. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

1Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University.

OBJECTIVEThe trigeminal root entry zone (TREZ) is a transitional zone between the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), adjacent to the brainstem. Microvascular compression of the TREZ has been considered to be the primary etiology in most cases of trigeminal neuralgia (TN), but whether epigenetic regulation is involved in the pathogenesis of TN is still unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the epigenetic regulation of histone H3 acetylation in the TREZ in an animal model of TN. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2018 Dec 24;58:42-48. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Department of Skull Base Surgery Center, Department of Neurosurgery, XuanWu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

The objective of the current study is to summarize the experiences of 360-degree circumferential arachnoid dissection for TN in patients without NVC. Clinical data from 19 TN patients without NVC who underwent 360-degree circumferential arachnoid dissection were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent preoperative examinations of three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D-TOF-MRA) and three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance of constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS) to identify the neurovascular structures around the trigeminal nerve. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:4756-4759

In recent years, the trigeminal nerve (CN V) has become a popular target for neuromodulation therapies to treat of a variety of diseases due to its access to neuromodulatory centers. Despite promising preclinical and clinical data, the mechanism of action of trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) remains in question. In this work, we describe the development and evaluation of a neural interface targeting the mouse trigeminal nerve with the goal of enabling future mechanistic research on TNS. Read More

Life Sci 2018 Dec 27;214:167-175. Epub 2018 Oct 27.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, P.O. Box 146, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia.

Aims: Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a novel dibenzazepine antiepileptic, that has demonstrated efficacy against trigeminal pain, both in preclinical and clinical studies. However, ESL's mechanism of antinociceptive action remains uncertain. Here, we aimed to examine the contribution of adrenergic/cholinergic/opioid receptors to the antinociceptive effects of ESL in a trigeminal pain model, as these neurotransmitter systems are known to have an important role in the modulation of trigeminal nociception. Read More

Eur J Pharm Sci 2019 Jan 1;127:240-251. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong. Electronic address:

DB213 is an expanded CAG RNA inhibitor targeting polyglutamine diseases. This current study aims to investigate biopharmaceutic characteristics of DB213 as well as its brain uptake and distribution in C57 wild type mice, R6/2 Huntington's disease mice and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats via intranasal administration. The biopharmaceutic characteristics of DB213 were investigated in vitro using Calu-3/MDCK/HEK293 cell lines and brain slices for its membrane transport, equilibrium dialysis for its plasma protein/brain tissue bindings and liver/brain microsomes incubation for its enzyme kinetics profiles. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2018 Oct 29;60(1):64. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.

Background: The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a brainstem reflex that may be observed in anaesthesia during surgical procedures stimulating the intracranial or peripheral portion of the trigeminal nerve. The peripheral TCR is divided into the oculocardiac reflex and the maxillomandibulocardiac reflex based on the affected sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve. In veterinary medicine the oculocardiac reflex has been described, however the maxillomandibulocardiac reflex has never been reported. Read More

Eur J Pain 2019 Mar 16;23(3):589-602. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.

Background: Ocular surface diseases are among the most frequent ocular pathologies. Ocular pain following corneal injury is frequently observed in clinic. Corneal sensory innervation is supplied by ciliary nerves derived from ophthalmic division of the trigeminal ganglion. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Oct 25;19(11). Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Medicine, Laboratory for Pain Research, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.

Transient receptor potential ankyrin type-1 (TRPA1) channels are known to actively participate in different pain conditions, including trigeminal neuropathic pain, whose clinical treatment is still unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of TRPA1 channels by means of the antagonist ADM_12 in trigeminal neuropathic pain, in order to identify possible therapeutic targets. A single treatment of ADM_12 in rats 4 weeks after the chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (IoN-CCI) significantly reduced the mechanical allodynia induced in the IoN-CCI rats. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 19;121:217-221. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Riley Hospital for Children, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a well-recognized facial pain syndrome. Discrete forms with disparate pain symptoms include classic and atypical. However, atypical facial pain includes neuralgiform pain along a spectrum. Read More

Eur J Oral Sci 2018 12 20;126(6):466-475. Epub 2018 Oct 20.

State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi International Joint Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Oral Anatomy and Physiology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) has been demonstrated to cause masseter hyperactivity via the periodontal trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Vme)-trigeminal motor nucleus circuit. Here, we studied activation of motor neurons of the facial nucleus (VII), hypoglossal nucleus (XII), nucleus ambiguus (Amb), and spinal nucleus of the accessory nerve (SNA) in rats with UAC via their similar connections with Vme. An anterograde tracer, biotinylated dextran amine (BDA), was injected into the Vme to identify the central axon terminals around the motor neurons of VII, XII, Amb, and SNA. Read More

J Mol Neurosci 2018 Dec 17;66(4):524-534. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Department of Statistics, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) with chronic and severe neuropathic pain leads to remarkable interference in daily living activities of patients. Unknown molecular mechanisms involved in TN pathophysiology are a challenge for complete treatment of the disease. The present study was conducted to investigate changes in the plasma proteome beside biochemical parameters, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide (NO), amino acids, and vitamin D (Vit D) in different pain states in TN patients. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 9;121:e775-e785. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Department of Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France; Department of Radiotherapy, Groupe ONCORAD Garonne, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse, France.

Background: During the past decades, stereotactic radiosurgery, and Gamma Knife in particular, has proved its safety and efficacy for drug-resistant classic trigeminal neuralgia. However, few large series exist using linear accelerator (LINAC) reporting long-term follow-up.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2015, 301 patients were treated by LINAC at our institution. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 9;121:88-94. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Section of Neurosurgery, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Epidermoid cysts in Meckel cave are exceedingly rare. Since 1971, only 17 cases have been reported in the literature, with most patients presenting with trigeminal hypesthesia. However, outgrowth of these lesions from Meckel cave can rarely lead to compression of the proximate cavernous sinus and the neurovascular structures contained within. Read More

Arch Craniofac Surg 2018 Sep 20;19(3):231-234. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.

A schwannoma is a benign tumor that develops from Schwann cells. It is known to occur more frequently in women than men, and about one third of schwannoma cases occur in the head and neck area. It is also known to originate mainly in the auditory nerve. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 27;120:457-475. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Department of Neurosurgery, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydın, Turkey.

Background: In cranial surgery, different foreign body (FB) materials are used and may be left intentionally or unintentionally in the surgical field after closure, inducing a foreign body granuloma (FBG). This is a rare complication in neurosurgery, but it may be a diagnostic dilemma, with sometimes medicolegal implications.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the English literature between 1965 and 2018 and found a total of 77 articles concerning 100 cases of FBG caused by retained material located within the cranium or surrounding soft tissues. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Sep;97(38):e12388

Department of Pain Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Rationale: Effective treatments for trigeminal nerve postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) are limited. Adriamycin (doxorubicin) has been applied to the treatment of neuropathic pain. This study reports a new treatment: Adriamycin injected to Gasserian ganglion for an elderly patient with the intractable trigeminal nerve PHN. Read More

Acta Ophthalmol 2018 Sep 17. Epub 2018 Sep 17.

Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.

Corneal nerves are key components of the physiological system that controls ocular surface homeostasis. The cornea is primarily innervated by the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerves (cranial nerve V), which distend bilaterally from the pons. The nasociliary branch (afferent) of the ophthalmic nerve is sensory for cornea, eyelid and conjunctiva. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 13;120:e1011-e1016. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Chinese Medical Association Neuroendoscopic Training Base and Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China. Electronic address:

Background: Both the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and the infratemporal fossa (ITF) lie outside the midline of the skull base. Lesions in the PPF or ITF include trigeminal schwannoma (trigeminal schwannoma, TS), which originates from the second or third branch of the trigeminal nerve (maxillary nerve or mandibular nerve). Due to their typically deep anatomic location, lesions in the PPF or ITF can be difficult to treat using traditional surgical approaches. Read More

Radiographics 2018 Sep-Oct;38(5):1498-1513

From the Departments of Radiology (A.C., R.S.Q., J.W.), Orthopaedic Surgery (A.C.), Neurological Surgery (J.W.), Otolaryngology (L.L.M.), Plastic Surgery (B.A.), Surgery (J.R.Z.), and Neurology and Neurotherapeutics (J.R.Z.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9178; and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark (G.B., V.W.).

Cranial nerve disease outside the skull base is a common cause of facial and/or neck pain, which causes significant disability for patients and frustration for clinicians. Neuropathy in this region can be traumatic, idiopathic, or iatrogenic secondary to dental and surgical procedures. MR neurography is a modification of conventional MRI techniques dedicated to evaluation of peripheral nerves and is being increasingly used for imaging of peripheral neuropathies at various sites in the body. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 7;120:211-213. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic orofacial pain syndrome, which manifests as severe pain in the distribution of any trigeminal nerve branch. Though traditionally responsive to anticonvulsant therapy, TN can become refractory to medications and require surgical intervention.

Case Description: We present a case of V2 TN that was treated with minimally invasive trigeminal ablation. Read More

Otolaryngol Pol 2018 Jun;72(4):21-25

Hospital Universitario Donostia Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Department.

Introduction: Post-operative injury of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve is consider a complication in neck dissection and can be related to different factors including traction, devascularisation or the conduction block due to diathermy.

Material And Methods: Prospective, crossover study including patients treated bilateral selective neck dissection of level IIa during a 12 months-period, was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the Hayes-Martin manoeuvre to prevent nerve injury during the use of cold or monopolar diathermy dissection.

Results: 20 patients met the inclusion criteria (40 neck dissections). Read More

Dent Clin North Am 2018 Oct 2;62(4):665-682. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pain, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

This review examines gender prevalence in orofacial pain to elucidate underlying factors that can explain such differences. This review highlights how gender affects (1) the association of hormonal factors and pain modulation; (2) the genetic aspects influencing pain sensitivity and pain perception; (3) the role of resting blood pressure and pain threshold; and (4) the impact of sociocultural, environmental, and psychological factors on pain. Read More

Dent Clin North Am 2018 Oct 31;62(4):565-584. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

University of Western Australia, School of Dentistry, 17 Monash Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia. Electronic address:

Neuropathic pain of the orofacial region can cause much distress in individuals presenting with this condition. It may be easily mistaken for dental pain, and hence many individuals may undergo unnecessary dental work. Knowledge of the types of neuropathic orofacial pain may assist in timely diagnosis and improvement of a patient's quality of life. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 3;121:e15-e21. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China.

Objective: To analyze treatment of microvascular decompression using the retrosigmoid approach (RA) in primary trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm using preoperative images combined with intraoperative microscopic navigation to avoid unnecessarily opening the mastoid air cells (MACs).

Methods: Ten patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia and 20 patients with hemifacial spasm (test group) were treated using RA for microvascular decompression. Preoperative head magnetic resonance angiography and temporal bone computed tomography were performed and the images registered using SPM12 and fused with MRIcron to determine the relationship between MACs and sigmoid sinuses. Read More

Gen Dent 2018 Sep-Oct;66(5):20-23

Mol Pain 2018 Jan-Dec;14:1744806918796763

2 Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.

Chronic orofacial pain is a significant health problem requiring identification of regulating processes. Involvement of epigenetic modifications that is reported for hindlimb neuropathic pain experimental models, however, is less well studied in cranial nerve pain models. Three independent observations reported here are the (1) epigenetic profile in mouse trigeminal ganglia (TG) after trigeminal inflammatory compression (TIC) nerve injury mouse model determined by gene expression microarray, (2) H3K9 acetylation pattern in TG by immunohistochemistry, and (3) efficacy of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to attenuate development of hypersensitivity. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 31;121:243-248. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) caused by a tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula (TDAVF) is quite rare. To date, only 10 cases and 2 small case series have been reported in this regard, and most were treated with either embolization or surgery. Here, we report a unique case of a TDAVF presented as TN, which was embolized with Onyx first and resected later. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 30;120:e755-e761. Epub 2018 Aug 30.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Clinic, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Background: Patients who have had microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery often report sensory discomfort around the surgical area. In most cases, injury of the lesser occipital nerve (LON) is responsible for this postoperative complication. This study aimed to explore an effective method to protect the LON and reduce postoperative discomfort. Read More

Mol Pain 2018 Jan-Dec;14:1744806918795930

1 Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.

Objective Previous studies of neuropathic pain have suggested that the P2X4 purinoceptor (P2X4R) in spinal microglia is essential for maintaining allodynia following nerve injury. However, little is known about its role in inflammatory soup-induced trigeminal allodynia, which closely mimics chronic migraine status. Here, we determined the contributions of P2X4R and related signaling pathways in an inflammatory soup-induced trigeminal allodynia model. Read More

Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis 2018 Sep 20;135(5S):S103-S106. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To examine the impact of integrated hybrid operating rooms for endoscope-assisted microsurgery using the presigmoid retrolabyrinthine (RL) approach, and to determine the value of simultaneous supervision of skull base endoscopic procedures by microscope.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed endoscope-assisted surgery using the RL approach at our institution between September 2013 and January 2017. The simultaneous supervision of endoscopic procedures by microscope was realized using the integrated hybrid system. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2018 26;9:148. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

Department of Neurosurgery, Mainz University Hospital, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) represents one of the most disabling pain syndromes. Several diseases have been described as etiological triggers of TN, vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve being the most frequent cause. Here, we describe for the first time a rare case of TN caused by an infiltration of an isolated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) B-cell lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) mass into the Meckel's cave and cavernous sinus. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 10;119:e968-e976. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Objective: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) at the petrous apex are rare but may cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or severe brainstem edema. This study aimed to summarize their clinical features and discuss the classification.

Methods: During a 15-year period, 64 consecutive patients with DAVF at the petrous apex were reviewed. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 9;119:e874-e881. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: To assess outcomes and complications of stereotactic radiosurgery treatment for trigeminal schwannoma (TS).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to describe the presentation and outcomes of patients undergoing Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for TS. Clinical, radiographic, and stereotactic radiosurgery dose plans were reviewed. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 8;120:72-77. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is rare and challenging to treat. Some authors have reported techniques for treating trigeminal neuralgia caused by VBD using various kinds of objects including clips, Proline slings, and titanium plates.

Methods: Here, we report the effectiveness of cutting and splitting of the tentorium in 3 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2018 Oct 27;25:165-166. Epub 2018 Jul 27.

Unit of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Lissone (MB), Italy. Electronic address:

In MS patients (PwMS), paroxysmal symptoms (PS) are frequently reported and are often the cause of suffering. PS include Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) that is the most widely recognized neurophatic pain syndrome. TN treatment primarily consists of antiepileptic medications such as Carbamazepine (CBZ) and Lamotrigine (LTG). Read More

Neuroradiology 2018 Oct 3;60(10):1053-1061. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.

Purpose: Despite its clinical implications, the MRI features of developmental facial paresis (DFP) were described in a few case reports. This study aims to describe MRI features of DFP in relation to the embryological development with a proposed radiological new grading system.

Methods: The clinical records and MRI of the brain and internal auditory canal of 11 children with DFP were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Jul;97(30):e11650

Department of Ophthalmology.

Rationale: Orbital apex syndrome is a complex clinical disorder featuring a collection of cranial nerve deficits characterized by impairment of the extraocular muscles, the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, and even the optic nerve. Sino-orbital aspergillosis is rare but aggressive infection. Surgical resection accompanied by antifungal medication is advised currently. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Oct 19;118:193-196. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Newark, New Jersey, USA.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic orofacial pain syndrome that presents with debilitating shooting pains in the V3 nerve distribution. The condition is traditionally responsive to anticonvulsant therapy; however, cases that become refractory to medications often require surgical intervention.

Case Description: We present a case of TN that was treated with minimally invasive trigeminal ablation. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Oct 18;118:172-176. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Department of Neurosurgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Background: Schwannomas that involve the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve and localize exclusively in the parapharyngeal space (PPS) and infratemporal fossa (ITF) are extremely rare, and a surgical approach to treat such tumors has not been well established.

Case Description: We present our experience in the treatment of a giant trigeminal schwannoma with wide extension in the ITF and PPS using an endoscopic transvestibular transmandibular approach. The clinical and radiologic findings, preoperative planning, advantages of the surgical approach, and clinical outcome are discussed. Read More

Braz J Med Biol Res 2018 Jul 16;51(9):e7602. Epub 2018 Jul 16.

Department of Neurosurgery, the Third People's Hospital of Hainan Province, Sanya, China.

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most frequently studied in the central nervous system and has been linked to neuropathic pain. In this study, a post-translational mechanism of microRNA (miR)-186 via regulating the expression of NLRP3 in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-treated mice was investigated. The injection of CFA was used to induce trigeminal neuropathic pain in mice. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2018 Jul;98(25):2011-2014

Gamma Knife Treatment Center, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.

To analyze the prognosis and untoward effect in recurrent refractory trigeminal neuralgia (RRTN) patients who underwent repeat Gamma Knife Radiosurgery treatment (GKRS) retrospectively, and to summarize the experience of repeat Gamma Knife Radiosurgery treatment of recurrent refractory trigeminal neuralgia. RRTN patients who treated with repeat GKRS during 1998.8. Read More

ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 2018 11;80(2):103-107. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Trigeminal neuropathy manifests as episodic sharp, shooting pain in the maxillofacial region. Contributory etiologies are myriad, ranging from central pathology affecting its origin in the brainstem to peripheral processes affecting their distal-most insertion sites. We present a case of bilateral hypoplastic Meckel's caves in an adult patient leading to the clinical symptomology of trigeminal neuralgia. Read More