A neurophysiological analysis of the sensory disorders in trigeminal nerve neuropathy
: 52 patients with various types of trigeminal nerve neuropathy were examined in terms of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEP). The increase of latent periods and the decrease of N5-N33 amplitude components as well as disappearance of some separate components of this period were observed in patients with moderate facial pain and hypersthesia when sore side was stimulated. Meanwhile the alterations level of TSEP correlated with trigeminal hypesthesia severity. In a course of such stimulation all TSEP components disappeared in patients with severe sensory deficit and this turned out to be unfavourable prognostic sign pointing out the small perspectivity of conservative antianalgesic therapy. TSEP investigation in patients with trigeminal nerve neuropathy promoted objectivity of face and oral cavity sensory insufficiency that permitted to estimate both the alteration degree and algesic syndrome severity.