engleski

Incidence of blink-reflex abnormalities in patients suffering from idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia

Objective We performed a study to determine the incidence of Blink-reflex abnormalities and EEG changes in patients suffering from idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Method The study was performed on 25 patients diagnosed according to the ICD-X criteria. We measured amplitudes and latencies of the ipsilateral early phasic component (Rl) and the bilateral late tonic component (R2, R2'). EEG was recorded using the International 10-20 EEG system. The results were compared to those of the control group. Results In the group of subjects suffering from idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia the Blink-reflex results showed prolonged latencies of both R2 and R2' when stimulating the afflicted side, and normal latencies of all components when stimulating the contralateral side. The latencies of late components have exceeded the normal range (+2.5 SD) in 35% of the cases. EEG changes, mostly diffuse or bitemporal appearance of theta waves, were found in 27% of the subjects tested. EEG findings and Blink-reflex late components latencies showed a high level of correlation with each other as well as with frequency of symptoms. Conclusion We believe that Blink-reflex changes are more frequently encountered among patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia than EEG abnormalities.

blink-reflex; idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia

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