Acyclovir treatment in 2 patients with benign trigeminal sensory neuropathy
Peñarrocha M, Bagán JV, Alfaro A, Peñarrocha M. Acyclovir treatment in 2 patients with benign trigeminal sensory neuropathy. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2001 Apr;59(4):453-6.
Abstract
Idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy (TSN) is characterized by transient sensory disturbances in the distribution of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. Pain is not a typical complaint. Although the symptoms may last from days to years, complete recovery is normal in half of the patients.A viral theory has been postulated as the cause of TSN. In support of this hypothesis, herpes simplex virus oral mucosal lesions have been reported in patients with trigeminal neuropathies,9 and 2 cases of recurrent idiopathic TSN have been described.
This report describes 2 patients with facial numbness diagnosed as TSN who had associated ulcerated oral lesions and who were cured with acyclovir.
These results favor a viral etiology and suggest the possibility of treating TSN with antiviral agents.
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