[Neurinomas of the Gasserian ganglion and the trigeminal nerve (author's transl)].

Two cases of Gasserian ganglion neurinomas in children are described. The onset in both cases was insidious and the tumors became very large before the first clinical signs appeared. Blindness of one eye by direct compression of the homolateral optic nerve was the main symptom in both instances. In one child homolateral exophthalmus was also present. The clinical course of both cases was completely painless and without any other sign of involvement of the trigeminal nerve. Abnormal vessels related to the tumor were visible in the arterial phase of carotid angiography. This angiographic finding (unique in appearance and distribution) may be considered as pathognomonic for tumors of the Gasserian ganglion.