Trigeminal trophic syndrome is a rare disease caused by the interruption of peripheral or central sensory pathways of the trigeminal nerve. A slowly enlarging, uninflamed ulcer can occur in the area that has had trigeminal nerve damage; including but not limited to the cheek beside the ala nasi.[1]: 65
Signs and symptoms
The most common complaints are feelings of picking, rubbing, or scratching in the afflicted areas. A nonhealing ulcer is present in most patients. The ala nasi is frequently affected by a recognizable, painless, sickle-shaped lesion with a well-defined margin. The ulcers are incredibly persistent once they start.[2]
Treating trigeminal trophic syndrome is a difficult task. Among the options are transcutaneous nerve stimulation, protective dressings, behavioral modification, medication intervention, and surgical repair; however, none of these have been proven to be consistently effective.[3]
Epidemiology
Sixty cases were reported from 1982 to 2002.[4] Trigeminal trophic syndrome is more common in women as compared to men.[5]
^Sadeghi, P.; Papay, FA.; Vidimos, AT. (May 2004). "Trigeminal trophic syndrome--report of four cases and review of the literature". Dermatol Surg. 30 (5): 807–12, discussion 812. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30220.x. PMID15099331. S2CID6573549.
^Weintraub, Eileen; Soltani, Keyoumars; Hekmatpanah, Javad; Lorincz, Allan L. (1982). "Trigerninal trophic syndrome". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 6 (1). Elsevier BV: 52–57. doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(82)80200-4. ISSN0190-9622. PMID7085956.