Trigemino-cervical reflex in pathology of the brain stem and of the first cervical cord segments.

The trigemino-cervical reflex (CR) sensitivity and specificity in the assessment of cervico-bulbar lesions was evaluated in eleven selected subjects (4 multiple sclerosis, 3 tumoural processes and 4 cervical cord spondilogenetic myelopathies). Results were compared with those obtained from others neurophysiological investigations (EMG and blink-reflex) and with neuroimaging findings. Significant abnormal responses of CR were found in all patients varying from absent responses, to delayed or reduced amplitude patterns. These data stress the utility of CR in the check of cervico-bulbar lesions, where it can be considered complementary to other electrophysiological tests.