Transient hemifacial sensory loss with xerophthalmia following temporal lobectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The occurrence of a unilateral sensory loss in the second trigeminal distribution and the inability to tear following an ipsilateral temporal lobectomy has not been noted despite a number of reports of cranial nerve compromise under similar situations.


METHODS
A 48-year-old woman experienced complex partial seizures over three years attributable to the presence of cavernous malformations of the right temporal lobe.


METHODS
An anterior temporal extrahippocampal resection was performed. The surgery was marked by the need for electrocoagulation of the dural base of the temporal lobe where numerous bleeding points were encountered. Postoperatively, the patient experienced an ipsilateral maxillary division sensory loss, absence of tearing, and diminished nasal congestion for an eight-month period until resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
Injury of the fibers of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve and the adjacent greater superficial petrosal nerve appears to be the cause. No prior account of such an occurrence has been published.
Thomas
A J
AJ
Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Elisevich
K
K
Smith
B
B
D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000209:etiology*