Trigeminal neurinomas

Abstract

Trigeminal neurinomas may produce atypical facial pain, loss of facial sensation, facial palsy, hearing loss, nystagmus, or vertigo, and thus may be confused with nasopharyngeal carcinomas or acoustic neurinomas. The diagnosis can be made by the clinical presentation together with radiographic features showing widening of the foramen ovale and/or smooth destruction of the anteromedial portion of the peterous apex. Tomography, pneumoencephalography, angiography, and other diagnostic procedures are sometimes helpful. Treatment is removal by transtemporal craniotomy and offers an excellent prognosis.