Trigeminal Neuralgia

Also called tic douloureux, it is a condition characterized by intermittent, shooting pain in the face. It affects the trigeminal nerve that sends impulses of touch, pain, pressure, and temperature to the brain from the face, jaw, gums, forehead, and around the eyes.

Signs & Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Occasional twinges of mild pain
Episodes of severe, shooting or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock
Spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, speaking and brushing teeth
Bouts of pain lasting from a few seconds to several seconds
Episodes of several attacks lasting days, weeks, months or longer
Pain affecting one side of your face at a time
Pain focused in one spot or spread in a wider pattern
Attacks becoming more frequent and intense over time

Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Treatment options based on surgery:

Microvascular Decompression (MVD)

An incision is made behind the ear and a small hole is drilled in the skull. The exposed trigeminal nerve may reveal being compressed by a blood vessel. This blood vessel is then moved away and interposed by a padding made of Teflon felt.

Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife)

Controlled beams of radiation are delivered precisely to targets inside the skull. The trigeminal nerve is targeted at the place where it enters the brainstem to stop the transmission of pain signals.

Treatment options based on outpatient needle procedure

Radiofrequency Rhizotomy

Also called Percutaneous Stereotactic Radiofrequency Rhizotomy (PSR), it uses a heating current to selectively destroy some of the trigeminal nerve fibres that produce pain.

Glycerol Injection

Similar to PSR, a hollow needle is passed through the cheek to the nerve. This needle is positioned in the trigeminal cistern wherein Glycerol is injected to damage some of the trigeminal nerve fibres that produce pain.

Balloon Compression

The surgeon places a balloon in the trigeminal nerve through a catheter. The balloon is inflated which compresses the nerve, injuring the pain-causing fibres. After several minutes the balloon and catheter are removed.

Other Treatments

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