Case report: Teflon granuloma following microvascular decompression manifesting as light-triggered trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia is commonly triggered by stimuli in the area of the trigeminal nerve innervation. We report an exceptionally rare case of a 61-year-old woman who complained of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia, which sole trigger was seeing a bright light. Teflon felt that was placed on the nerve root in the initial surgery was suspected of causing this rare type of trigeminal neuralgia. A reflex circuit linking luminance to trigeminal nerve activity may be implicated in activating a trigeminal nociceptive pathway by a bright light trigger.

Automated summary

Trigeminal Neuralgia is usually triggered by stimuli in the area of the trigeminal nerve innervation. However, we reported an exceptional case of a 61-year-old woman who experienced recurrent trigeminal neuralgia solely triggered by seeing a bright light. The Teflon felt placed on the nerve root during the initial surgery was suspected to be the cause of this rare type of pain.