title: Neuropathy of Trigeminal Nerve Branches After Oral and Maxillofacial Treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the incidence of trigeminal neuropathy seen among new patients in a referral center within a period of 1 year (2013). The cause of damage, method of management and treatment outcome was assessed after 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of all new patients visiting the oral and maxillofacial unit of the University hospital of Leuven in 2013 were screened for a history of damage to branches of the trigeminal nerve. The selected records were examined and the duration of nerve damage, received treatment as well as the outcome of the neuropathy after treatment was noted after 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  56 patients (21 males, 35 females) from 7602 new patients had symptoms of damage to the trigeminal nerve branch. These symptoms persist in more than one-third of the patients [21/56 (37.5 %)] after 1-year follow-up. The least recovery is seen from oral surgery, implant placement, orthognathic surgery and tooth extraction. After 1 year 85 % (12/14) of neuropathic pain cases still have their symptoms as compared to 19 % (5/26) of patients with hypoesthesia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows a low incidence of nerve damage among the new patients presenting in oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic (<1 %); however, one-third of patients who sustain nerve damage never recover fully. Early diagnosis of the cause of neuropathy is essential. There is a need to objectively assess all patients with symptoms of trigeminal nerve damage before, during and after treatment.
authors.affiliation: OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jimoh Olubanwo
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Agbaje
authors.affiliation: OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van de Casteele
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ciska
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verbaanderd
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lambrichts
authors.affiliation: OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium ; Faculty of Medicine, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Constantinus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Politis
keywords: Dental care; Disease management; Lingual nerve injuries; Mandibular nerve injuries; Sensation disorder