Trigeminal schwannoma presenting as a gelastic seizure: no laughing matter

Br J Neurosurg. 2022 Feb;36(1):88-89. doi: 10.1080/02688697.2018.1466999. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Abstract

We present the case of a 66 year old gentleman with trigeminal schwannoma whose only presenting feature was a single gelastic seizure. This is the first case report of pathological laughter in trigeminal schwannoma in the absence of other trigeminal, brainstem, cerebellar or other cranial nerve dysfunction.

Keywords: Trigeminal schwannoma; gelastic seizure; pathological laughter; skull base tumours.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Stem
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Laughter*
  • Male
  • Neurilemmoma* / diagnosis
  • Neurilemmoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Seizures / etiology