Trigeminal trophic syndrome is a rare disease caused by the interruption of peripheral or central sensory pathways of the

trigeminal nerve In neuroanatomy, the trigeminal nerve ( lit. ''triplet'' nerve), also known as the fifth cranial nerve, cranial nerve V, or simply CN V, is a cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewin ...

. A slowly enlarging, uninflammed ulcer can occur in the area that has had trigeminal nerve damage; including but not limited to the cheek beside the ala nasi. These sores affect the skin supplied by the sensory component of the trigeminal nerve. Similar lesions may also occur in the corners of the eyes, inside the ear canal, on the scalp or inside the mouth. It has been stated that the ulceration is due to the constant "picking" of the patient. While this does occur, the picking behavior is an incomplete explanation of the disease presentation: the lack of feeling or pain allows the patient to continue scratching or picking the area, and, although there is no feeling, there is constant

neuropathic pain Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage or disease affecting the somatosensory system. Neuropathic pain may be associated with abnormal sensations called dysesthesia or pain from normally non-painful stimuli (allodynia). It may have continuous ...

. Sixty cases were reported from 1982 to 2002.

References

Neurocutaneous conditions Syndromes {{Cutaneous-condition-stub

See also

References