Idiopathic Trigeminal Sensory Neuropathy in Childhood

Abstract

Idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy is well documented in the adult population. We report a rare case of idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy in a 9-year-old girl in whom the territory innervated by all three nerve divisions was affected. Our patient presented with an atypical clinical picture combining right facial numbness, hyperesthesia, and photophobia. Motor paresis and pain were absent, the corneal reflex was retained, and complete recovery was achieved after 10 weeks. The clinical course of this condition resembles that of childhood peripheral facial nerve palsy and may stem from a similar etiology. To our knowledge, our patient is the first reported case of benign, reversible, idiopathic trigeminal sensory neuropathy occurring in childhood. (J Child Neurol 2001;16:623-625).