Facial Paresthesia, a Rare Manifestation of Hereditary Neuropathy With Liability to Pressure Palsies: A Case Report

Abstract

Trigeminal sensory neuropathy can be caused by a variety of conditions, including local, traumatic, iatrogenic, or systemic causes. Diagnosis and management remain a challenge for maxillofacial surgeons and neurologists. Therefore, a good clinical examination and objective tests and imaging are needed when diagnosing patients who present with facial numbness. We present a case with spontaneous episodes of facial paresthesia. He was diagnosed with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP), a rare condition that affects the peripheral nerves. Only a few case reports that describe involvement of the cranial nerves in patients with HNPP were found in the literature, and facial paresthesia has not been previously reported.

Hereditary Neuropathies

“…47,48 Cranial neuropathies are rare. 49,50 The symptoms and deficits from the acute attacks typically resolve within a few weeks, but residual deficits can occur. In one study, persistent motor deficits of MRC 3/5 or less at 3 months were observed in 15% of patients.…”

“…Brachial plexopathy occurs in approximately one-third of patients and is more common in women 47,48 . Cranial neuropathies are rare 49,50 . The symptoms and deficits from the acute attacks typically resolve within a few weeks, but residual deficits can occur.…”