Highlights & Basics
- Trigeminal neuralgia is a facial pain syndrome in the distribution of ≥1 divisions of the trigeminal nerve.
- Diagnosis is clinical, with a history of paroxysms of sharp, stabbing, intense pain lasting up to 2 minutes.
- First-line therapy is medical, to which the majority of patients are partially responsive.
- Surgical/ablative therapies are reserved for refractory cases.
- Ablative therapies can cause facial sensory loss and are associated with a high recurrence rate; however, they are relatively noninvasive and carry minimal risk of severe morbidity/mortality.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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Bendtsen L, Zakrzewska JM, Abbott J, et al. European Academy of Neurology guideline on trigeminal neuralgia. Eur J Neurol. 2019 Jun;26(6):831-49.[Abstract][Full Text]
Gronseth G, Cruccu G, Alksne J, et al. Practice parameter: the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the European Federation of Neurological Societies. Neurology. 2008 Oct 7;71(15):1183-90.[Abstract][Full Text]
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