Jaw and blink reflexes in trigeminal nerve lesions

An electrodiagnostic study

GOOR, C. M.D.
ONGERBOER DE VISSER, B. W. M.D.

From the Departments of Clinical Neurophysiology, Municipal Hospital Leyenburg, The Hague, and University Hospital, Leyden, The Netherlands.

Received for publication May 16, 1975.

Requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr. Goor, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Leyenburg Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Neurology 26(1):p 95-97, January 1976.

Article abstract

Eighteen patients with intracranial trigeminal nerve lesions were investigated electrodiagnostically. The trigeminal motor root function was studied on the basis of the jaw reflex and masseter myograms and was disturbed in all cases. The jaw reflexes were abnormal in 16 and the masseter myograms in eight cases. An impression of the trigeminal sensory root function was obtained from the blink reflex, which was abnormal in 12 cases. The results show the diagnostic value of bilateral recording of the jaw reflex in such patients.