Trigeminal neuralgia as the first manifestation of mixed connective tissue disorder

J Clin Rheumatol. 2006 Jun;12(3):145-7. doi: 10.1097/01.rhu.0000222045.70861.a5.

Abstract

This report describes a patient with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Features of her TN, along with those of the 6 previously reported patients with TN and MCTD such as bilaterality and response to steroid therapy, suggest that the TN in MCTD differs from the idiopathic form of the disease. Because the TN often precedes other features of the MCTD, it may be useful to test patients with atypical TN for the presence of anti-RNP antibodies in order to identify a subset with both systemic disease and a potential to respond to corticosteroid therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / complications*
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / diagnosis
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / drug therapy
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / diagnosis
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / drug therapy
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / etiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Azathioprine
  • Prednisone