(Tic Doleureux)
Definition
Definition
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a disorder of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve 5) that causes severe, shooting pain along one side of the face. The trigeminal nerve senses touch, pain, pressure, and temperature. It also helps make saliva and tears.
The Trigeminal NerveCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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In TN, pain usually lasts for less than a second to a few seconds and may come and go for days, weeks, months, or years. It may go into remission or stop completely for months or years. Over time, though, the attacks may become more frequent and more severe.
Causes
Causes
In most cases, the cause is unknown. In some cases, it may be caused by an abnormally formed artery or vein near the nerve. The blood vessel can compress the nerve and cause problems. Rarely, TN may occur as a symptom of another underlying disorder, such as:
- Tumor in the brain or head
- Multiple sclerosis
- Shingles
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
TN is more common in women aged 50 years or older. Having certain medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or high blood pressure may increase your risk of TN.
Symptoms
Symptoms
The main symptom is searing pain on one side of the face. The pain may be felt inside the mouth or in the lips, cheek, chin, nostril, ear, or near the eye. Rarely, pain may occur in the eye or forehead. Twitching or wincing sometimes accompanies the pain.
The pain is typically sudden, severe, and stabbing. Even though the pain is brief, usually less than two minutes, it can reoccur hundreds of times a day. Attacks can become totally disabling. They may seem to occur at random or be triggered by extremes of temperature, washing, shaving, touching, or tickling the face. There are usually no symptoms between attacks, except perhaps a dull ache.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may have an electrophysiologic test called a trigeminal reflex test. Other tests, such as a CT scan or MRI scan can take evaluate the head and surrounding structures.
You may be given antiseizure medication to help diagnose the disorder.
Treatment
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options include:
Medications
Your doctor may recommend:
- Antiseizure medications
- Antidepressants
- Muscle relaxers
- Nasal sprays
- Injections
Surgery
Surgery may be an option if medications fail to relieve symptoms. Microvascular decompression removes an artery or tumor that is pressing on the nerve. Other procedures may be used to cut the trigeminal nerve.
Prevention
Prevention
There are no current guidelines to prevent TN.
RESOURCES:
The Facial Pain Association http://www.fpa-support.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
TNAC—Trigeminal Neuralgia Association of Canada http://www.catna.ca
References:
Gorgulho A, DeSalles A. Trigeminal neuralgia: Impact of radiosurgery on the surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Surg Neurol. 2006;66(4):350-356.
Kalkanis SN, Eskandar EN, Carter BS, Barker FG 2nd. Microvascular decompression surgery in the United States, 1996-2000: Mortality rates, morbidity rates, and the effects of hospital and surgeon volumes. Neurosurgery. 2003;52(6):1251-1261.
NINDS trigeminal neuralgia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/trigeminal_neuralgia/trigeminal_neuralgia.htm
Updated November 30, 2012. Accessed June 28, 2013.
Pollock BE, Ecker RD. A prospective cost-effectiveness study of trigeminal neuralgia surgery. Clin J Pain. 2005;21(4):317-322.
Trigeminal neuralgia. American Academy of Neurological Surgeons website. Available at:
http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Trigeminal%20Neuralgia.aspx
Updated August 2012. Accessed June 28, 2013.
Trigeminal neuralgia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated December 29, 2012. Accessed June 28, 2013.
Viel M. Pregabalin for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(7):808.
11/29/2006 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Kanai A, Saito M, Hoka S. Subcutaneous sumatriptan for refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Headache. 2006;46(4):577-582.
Last Updated: 6/2/2014