Metastatic involvement of the Meckel's cave and trigeminal nerve. A case report.

The case of a patient with a right atypical trigeminal neuralgia caused by a metastatic tumor involving the Meckel's cave is reported. His medical history was significant for colon-rectal adenocarcinoma. The preoperative diagnosis of Meckel's cave neoplasm was made by MR. The patient underwent surgery, consisting of total removal of tumor and peeling of the ganglion and of the branches of the nerve, obtaining a histological diagnosis and a resolution of pain. The clinical, radiological findings and the treatment of this rare entity are discussed.