Trigeminal Neuralgia
(Tic Douloureux)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Trigeminal Neuralgia
No specific test is available to identify trigeminal neuralgia. However, the pattern and type of pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia makes it easy to diagnose. The most common cause is a blood vessel compressing the trigeminal nerve inside your head. This can sometimes be seen on an MRI scan. Your doctor will probably want to rule out other possible causes of your pain, such as problems with the jaw, teeth, or sinuses, or compression of the trigeminal nerve by a tumour or aneurysm. This may involve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans.
Treating and Preventing Trigeminal Neuralgia
It is important for people with severe trigeminal neuralgia to receive appropriate treatment as quickly as possible, as the pain can interfere with normal activities such as eating and sleeping and can lead to depression and even suicide.
Typical pain medications usually aren't helpful for trigeminal neuralgia because the episodes of pain are related to nerve pain. By stabilizing nerve endings, antiseizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine*, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, gabapentin) have shown to reduce the number and severity of painful episodes of trigeminal neuralgia. Other medications, such as muscle relaxants (e.g., baclofen) or other types of pain relievers, may also be helpful. Certain antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) may also be used.
If the pain cannot be relieved by medications, a surgical procedure to reduce the nerve pain is a possible treatment option. Open surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve by a blood vessel is effective for most patients. If a person isn't a good candidate for open surgery, a test can be done in which a numbing agent is injected into the nerve and temporarily blocks its function. If the pain is relieved, a balloon or an electrode can be temporarily inserted in the trigeminal ganglion, which is part of the nerve, to produce a mechanical or electrical lesion. This can be very effective at reducing the pain. A lesion of the trigeminal ganglion can also be obtained with focused high dose radiation. This is a well-proven method of treating trigeminal neuralgia. Sometimes, as a last resort for unmanageable pain, the trigeminal nerve is cut or destroyed.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Trigeminal-Neuralgia
References
