title: The trigeminal trophic syndrome: an unusual cause of nasal ulceration.
abstract: Trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is an unusual complication after peripheral or central damage to the trigeminal nerve, characterized by anesthesia, paresthesias, and ala nasi ulceration. We describe a patient with classic TTS after trigeminal rhizotomy who underwent several extensive evaluations for nasal ulceration and received prolonged immunosuppressive therapy for a presumed autoimmune disorder before the correct diagnosis was made. An understanding of the predisposing factors and clinical presentation of TTS is important to ensure a timely diagnosis of this difficult-to-treat illness. Differentiation of TTS from malignancy, infection, or vasculitis is possible on the basis of clinical history, tissue biopsy, and serologic evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Seetha U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Monrad
authors.forename: Jeffrey E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Aronoff
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013577:Syndrome; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries; D014456:Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*