Cutaneous silent period in masseter muscles: a clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluation

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 39; no. 7; pp. 674 - 679
• Main Authors: Ongerboer de Visser, B W, Goor, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.07.1976; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Brain Neoplasms - physiopathology; Electromyography - methods; Evoked Potentials; Facial Paralysis - physiopathology; Humans; Lateral Medullary Syndrome - physiopathology; Masticatory Muscles - innervation; Masticatory Muscles - physiology; Masticatory Muscles - physiopathology; Middle Aged; Neural Inhibition; Pons; Trigeminal Nerve - physiology; Trigeminal Nerve - physiopathology; Trigeminal Neuralgia - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.39.7.674

In 35 normal subjects electromyographic silent periods were constantly evoked bilaterally in the masseter muscles during maximal contraction after unilateral electrical stimulation over the infraorbital or mental nerve. Findings in this study and data obtained in 30 patients suffering from trigeminal (26) and facial (four) nerve lesions suggest that the silent period evoked according to our methods is cutaneous in origin. The trigeminal sensory root forms the afferent limb of the silent period reflex. Its central pathway is thought to pass both crossed and uncrossed through the pons. Determination of the cutaneous silent period might be of value for the demonstration of trigeminal nerve lesions and to supplement results concerning other brain-stem reflexes.