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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes
DOI: 10.1055/a-2552-8692
Mini-Review

The Trigeminal Nerve in Diabetes Mellitus: A Brief Narrative Review

Dimitrios Pantazopoulos
1   Diabetes Centre-Diabetic Foot Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)
,
Evanthia Gouveri
1   Diabetes Centre-Diabetic Foot Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)
,
Dimitrios Papazoglou
1   Diabetes Centre-Diabetic Foot Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)
,
Nikolaos Papanas 
1   Diabetes Centre-Diabetic Foot Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece (Ringgold ID: RIN112220)
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Abstract

This brief narrative review discusses the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of trigeminal nerve-related conditions, such as neuropathy and neuralgia, in patients with diabetes mellitus. Although these conditions are not very common, there is a solid connection between them in diabetes patients. Symptoms typically include facial pain, sensory disturbances, and muscle weakness for neuropathy and severe, stabbing pain for neuralgia. Diagnosis is based on characteristic clinical manifestations, along with laboratory investigation and magnetic resonance imaging to exclude other potential causes, such as tumours, multiple sclerosis, or vascular compression. Treatment focuses on strict glycaemic control, modification of vascular risk factors, pharmacological agents (carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine), and neurostimulation to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Keywords

cranial nerves - diabetes mellitus - diabetic neuropathy - trigeminal nerve - trigeminal neuralgia - mononeuropathy


Publication History

Received: 07 January 2025

Accepted after revision: 06 March 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
06 March 2025

Article published online:
24 April 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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