Trigeminal Nerve Tumor
Pathophysiology
•types: nerve sheath (common) and LSA
•trigeminal nerve sheath tumors tend to be locally invasive with a low metastatic rate
•trigeminal nerve sheath tumors tend to spread proximally into the central neural axis
Clinical Features
•trigeminal nerve sheath tumors present with unilateral temporalis and masseter muscle atrophy and unilateral dysfunction of ophthalmic, maxillary ± mandibular branches (i.e., poor or altered sensation around the eyelids and lips with poor blink reflex and wrinkling of face)
•diagnosis: EMG of masticatory muscles and MRI
•surgical resection via lateral rostrotentorial craniectomy or trans-zygomatic craniectomy (for ventral access)
•radiation therapy may be indicated for primary treatment or as an adjunct to surgical resection
•prognosis: guarded to poor
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CRANIAL NERVE TUMORS
