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Subject: Re: Facial Numbness
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area:
Posted by CCF Neurology MD (B) on March 20, 1998 at 13:57:09:
In Reply to: Facial Numbness posted by Barbara on March 12, 1998 at 16:18:01:
: facial numbness
This response submitted by on 3/12/98.
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I started experiencing my facial numbness in July of 1997. I am 48 years old and in great health. I have facial numbness on
both sides of my checks, jaw line, corners of eyes, left side of my neck, and sometimes on the side of my nose. One time my tongue went numb on the left side. The numbness only effects the nerve endings not any muscle control--thank God! Sometimes I also experience aching in my jaw.
= Dear Barbara, Sensation of the face is via the 5th Cranial Nerve or the trigeminal Nerve. It is unusual to have bilateral sensation changes localized to the face but it is not impossible. Trigeminal neuropathy can be caused by an immune-mediated connective tissue disorder such as systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome and mixed-connective tissue disease. Usually these will present with specific symptons (E.g.Sjogren's syndrome presents with keratoconjunctivitis, xeraostomia (the sicca syndrome), parotitis and CTD) plus elevated antibody levels. Another possibility could be the presence of a syrinx (i.e. an enlarged space located in the central part of the spinal cord and lower portion of the brainstem). However, this could have been ruled out by the MRI of the head done recently. Finally, it is possible, although rare to have a pure isolated trigeminal neuropathy, which in some text's is known as "Spillane's Trigeminal Neuritis". Iwould discuss with your neurologist these potential causes of a trigeminal neuropathy and see if additional work-up is necessary. Hope this helps. "This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition."
I have had the folloing test: two MRIs (one for TMJ (I don't have) and one on my skull), EEG, and a Spinal Tap. All these test
came back normal, which I am thankful, but I would really like to know what is causing this problem. I am now scheduled for an MRI on my spine to see if there could possibly be any thing pinching a nerve in my back/neck. .
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