title: Primary Malignant Lymphoma of the Trigeminal Nerve: Case Report and Literature Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary lymphomas of the cranial nerves are extremely rare except for optic nerve lymphoma, and it is difficult to make a correct diagnosis in the initial stage. Here, we report a case of primary malignant lymphoma of the left trigeminal nerve that presented as trigeminal nerve disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 47-year-old man presented with aggravating left facial pain and hypesthesia within all three divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a swollen left trigeminal nerve with gadolinium homogenous enhancement. An open biopsy had to be taken from two different locations of the tumor via the lateral suboccipital approach followed by subtemporal approach because adequate specimen volume was not obtained for definitive diagnosis at the first surgery. Histopathological examinations with flow cytometric analysis revealed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy followed by whole-brain radiation therapy was effective. No recurrence was observed during a 15-month follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a rare clinical presentation of malignant lymphoma of the trigeminal nerve. It is difficult to establish a correct diagnosis of trigeminal nerve lesions during the initial stages without biopsy. Therefore it is important that a sufficient specimen should be taken for biopsy without hesitation in order to diagnose and treat rapidly. The most suitable operative approach must be selected in trigeminal nerve lesions considering functional preservation, operative difficulty, preference of each surgeon, and quantity of specimen to be removed.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors: Toshihiro
authors: T
authors: Ogiwara
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan. Electronic address: tetuyosi@shinshu-u.ac.jp.
authors: Tetsuyoshi
authors: T
authors: Horiuchi
authors: Division of Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors: Nodoka
authors: N
authors: Sekiguchi
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors: Yukinari
authors: Y
authors: Kakizawa
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors: Kazuhiro
authors: K
authors: Hongo
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D020433:Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Malignant lymphoma; Open biopsy; Surgical approach; Trigeminal nerve