aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Causes of trigeminal nerve palsy include:

  • central causes due to a lesion in the pons, medulla and upper cervical cord:
    • tumour
    • syringobulbia
    • vascular

  • peripheral causes include:
    • tumour
    • aneurysm
    • chronic meningitis

  • a lesion of the trigeminal ganglion:
    • acoustic neuroma
    • meningioma
    • fracture of the middle fossa

  • a lesion in the cavernous sinus:
    • tumour
    • aneurysm
    • thrombosis

The latter is associated with III, IV and VI palsies.