Cavernous malformation of the trigeminal nerve manifesting with trigeminal neuralgia: case report.
OBJECTIVE
We describe a patient with a cavernous malformation within the trigeminal nerve at the nerve root entry zone who presented with trigeminal neuralgia.


METHODS
A 52-year-old woman sought treatment after experiencing dizziness and lancinating left facial pain for almost a year. Neurological examination revealed diminished sensation in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve on the left. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a minimally enhancing lesion affecting the trigeminal nerve.


METHODS
The patient underwent a retrosigmoid craniotomy. At the nerve root entry zone, the trigeminal nerve was edematous with hemosiderin staining. The lesion, which was resected with microsurgical technique, had the appearance of a cavernous malformation on gross and histological examination. The patient's pain improved significantly after resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Cavernous malformations can afflict the trigeminal nerve and cause trigeminal neuralgia. Microsurgical excision can be performed safely and is associated with improvement in symptoms.
Deshmukh
Vivek R
VR
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
Hott
Jonathan S
JS
Tabrizi
Peyman
P
Nakaji
Peter
P
Feiz-Erfan
Iman
I
Spetzler
Robert F
RF
D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology*