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Trigeminal neuralgia

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Central nervous system
Central nervous system

Alternative Names    Return to top

Tic douloureux

Definition    Return to top

Trigeminal neuralgia is very painful swelling (inflammation) of the nerve (trigeminal nerve) that delivers feeling to the face and "surface" of the eye.

Causes    Return to top

Trigeminal neuralgia causes severe, short-lasting (only a few seconds) facial pain on the side of the affected nerve. The condition usually affects older adults.

Often, no cause can be found. However, areas of brain swelling or abnormal blood vessels (arteriovenous malformations) can cause it.

Painful trigeminal neuralgia attacks may occur after lightly touching areas of the face that are along the fifth skull (cranial) nerve.

Symptoms    Return to top

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood tests may help rule out other conditions.

Treatment    Return to top

Certain medicines can help reduce pain and the rate of attacks. These may include:

Some patients may need surgery.

References    Return to top

Kanai A, Saito M, Hoka S. Subcutaneous sumatriptan for refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Headache. 2006;46(4):577-582.

Goetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007.

Update Date: 2/13/2008

Updated by: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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