Trigeminal neuralgia.

Title

Trigeminal neuralgia.

Creator

Krafft Rudolph M

Publisher

American Family Physician

Date

2008
2008-05

Description

Trigeminal neuralgia is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Typically, brief attacks are triggered by talking, chewing, teeth brushing, shaving, a light touch, or even a cool breeze. The pain is nearly always unilateral, and it may occur repeatedly throughout the day. The diagnosis is typically determined clinically, although imaging studies or referral for specialized testing may be necessary to rule out other diseases. Accurate and prompt diagnosis is important because the pain of trigeminal neuralgia can be severe. Carbamazepine is the drug of choice for the initial treatment of trigeminal neuralgia; however, baclofen, gabapentin, and other drugs may provide relief in refractory cases. Neurosurgical treatments may help patients in whom medical therapy is unsuccessful or poorly tolerated.

Subject

*Trigeminal Neuralgia/diagnosis/physiopathology/therapy; Analgesics; Carbamazepine/therapeutic use; Diagnosis; Differential; Humans; Non-Narcotic/therapeutic use; Physical Examination

Identifier

Rights

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

Pages

1291–1296

Issue

9

Volume

77

Citation

Krafft Rudolph M, “Trigeminal neuralgia.,” NEOMED Bibliography Database, accessed March 28, 2024, https://neomed.omeka.net/items/show/4549.