Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
Article Abstract:
Trigeminal neuralgia should be managed by a variety of pharmaceutical means, unless surgery becomes necessary. Trigeminal neuralgia is intense pain in the lower part of the face, often of an episodic nature. The surgical correction of trigeminal neuralgia involves decompressing the trigeminal root by removing or separating the artery exerting pressure on it. A 1996 study reports findings of this preferred technique, the microvascular decompression procedure. Since many patients may have pain or other complications after surgery, however, drug therapy is the treatment of choice. Recommended drugs include carbamazepine, phenytoin, baclofen, gabapentin, and lamotrigine. Spontaneous remission often occurs, lending more support to a conservative treatment strategy. Other alternative approaches include glycerol injections and balloon compressions.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The long-term outcome of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia
Article Abstract:
Microvascular decompression apparently has good long-term prospects for patients with trigeminal neuralgia, intense facial pain involving the trigeminal nerve. Relieving the pressure of the compressed root of the nerve is standard procedure in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Researchers evaluated various outcome up to 20 years after decompression surgery in 1,185 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. After 10 years, 70% of the patients were free of pain. Four percent of the patients needed occasional pain medication. A total of 132 additional operations were required, while two deaths and one brain-stem infarction occurred. Hearing loss on one side of the face was restricted to only one percent of all patients. Microvascular decompression is a safe and effective alternative to patients not responsive to standard drug treatment.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Case 21-2006: A 61-year-old man with left-sided facial pain
Article Abstract:
The case of a 61-year-old man referred to the neurosurgical outpatient clinic of a hospital because of left-sided facial pain is presented. After other causes of facial pain were eliminated, the diagnosis was narrowed down to trigeminal neuralgia and a condition called 'atypical facial pain', and appropriate treatment is recommended.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2006
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Drugs for sexually transmitted infections. Drugs for sexually transmitted diseases
- Abstracts: Erythropoietin treatment of anemia associated with multiple myeloma. Resistance to erythropoietin
- Abstracts: A 10 year follow up of parenteral gold therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Antibody deficiency associated with gold treatment: natural history and management in 22 patients
- Abstracts: Preventing the nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis. Hepatotoxicity Associated With Isoniazid Preventive Therapy: A 7-Year Survey From a Public Health Tuberculosis Clinic
- Abstracts: Mortality following inpatient addictions treatment: role of tobacco use in a community-based cohort. Prying Open the Door to the Tobacco Industry's Secrets About Nicotine