Trigeminal Neuralgia

Summary

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, or the fifth cranial nerve. It’s characterized by electric shock-like pain occurring on one side of the face, usually triggered by external stimuli, like shaving, touching the face, or even cold wind blowing across the cheek. Episodes of pain in trigeminal neuralgia are brief, usually lasting only a few seconds. The first-line treatment for patients with trigeminal neuralgia is carbamazepine.

Key Points

• Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Also known as “tic douloureux” (French for “painful twitch”)
  • Pathophysiology
    • Neuropathy of CN V (trigeminal nerve) due to unclear mechanisms
  • Location
    • Unilateral
  • Presentation
    • Recurrent episodes of shooting, electric shock-like pain in the distribution of CN V (cheek or jaw)
      • Usually triggered by stimuli
  • Duration
    • Episodes usually last a few seconds
  • Treatment
    • Carbamazepine