Diagnostic accuracy of trigeminal reflex testing in trigeminal neuralgia

G Cruccu; A Biasiotta; F Galeotti; G D Iannetti; A Truini; G Gronseth

doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000191388.64530.8f

Diagnostic accuracy of trigeminal reflex testing in trigeminal neuralgia

Neurology. 2006 Jan 10;66(1):139-41. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000191388.64530.8f.

Authors

G Cruccu¹, A Biasiotta, F Galeotti, G D Iannetti, A Truini, G Gronseth

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurological Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. cruccu@uniroma1.it

PMID: 16401867
DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000191388.64530.8f

Abstract

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%).

MeSH terms

Adult
Age Factors
Age of Onset
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biopsy
Diagnosis, Differential
Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control*
Electrodiagnosis / methods*
Electrodiagnosis / standards
Female
Humans
Male
Mandibular Nerve / physiopathology
Maxillary Nerve / physiopathology
Middle Aged
Neural Conduction
Neurologic Examination
Ophthalmic Nerve / pathology
Ophthalmic Nerve / physiopathology
Physical Stimulation
Predictive Value of Tests
Prospective Studies
Reflex, Abnormal*
Sensation Disorders / diagnosis
Sensation Disorders / etiology
Sensation Disorders / physiopathology
Trigeminal Nerve / pathology
Trigeminal Nerve / physiopathology*
Trigeminal Neuralgia / diagnosis*
Trigeminal Neuralgia / physiopathology*