Diagnostic accuracy of trigeminal reflex testing in trigeminal neuralgia.
The authors prospectively studied 120 consecutive patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) to identify the clinical and laboratory features that most accurately distinguished symptomatic from classic TN. After a standardized evaluation, they identified 24 patients with symptomatic TN. Age, sensory examination, and affected division were not useful in the differential diagnosis. In contrast, electrophysiologic testing of trigeminal reflexes accurately distinguished symptomatic from classic TN (sensitivity 96%, specificity 93%).
Cruccu
G
G
Department of Neurological Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. cruccu@uniroma1.it
Biasiotta
A
A
Galeotti
F
F
Iannetti
G D
GD
Truini
A
A
Gronseth
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008442:Maxillary Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*