Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (also known as 'prosopalgia' and the 'suicide disease') describes a neuropathic disorder of one, two or all three of the trigeminal nerves that is characterized by episodes of intense pain in the facial area.

The trigeminal nerve (also medically called the 'fifth nerve' or 'CN5') is responsible for our sensation in the face. People who have this disorder can experience pain in multiple parts of the face including the ear, eyes, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, teeth, or jaw on one side and alongside the face. Some patients have also reported pain in their left index finger.

The facial pain attacks appear due to abnormal creation of nerve impulses, in the axonsAn axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body or soma (Source: Wikipedia). that normally transfer the feeling of pain. Axons that are responsible for transferring the sensation of touch are enlarged and create contact with the axons transferring pain. This abnormal contact leads to a transformation of a feeling sensation into intense pain.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Video

Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms

TN usually develops in patients after the age of 50, more commonly in females. As previously described, the symptoms for this disease is severe pain in multiple organs in the face. Patients will experience episodic sharp pain that can come in consecutive chains, each lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes or even hours. These pain attacks can be triggered by touching the area, eating, taking and any facial motion whatsoever. These pain attacks can also be triggered by environmental factors such as cold wind, high pitched sounds and loud noises.

It should be known that between attacks of pain, patients usually do not have any other symptoms.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatments

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is not easily controlled and there is no cure, however there are medications and surgical procedures that are targeted to ease the pain and manage the symptoms. Early treatment is important as it is believed that the longer this goes untreated the harder it is to reverse neural pathways associated with the pain.

There are different medications a doctor may prescribe, but if the situation is severe, or the medication does not help, there are few surgical options:
Microvascular Decompression (MVD) – In this invasive surgery, the surgeon will open the skull in order to expose the nerve and insert a tiny sponge between the compressing vessel and the nerve. The sponge is supposed to isolate the nerve from the pulsating effect and pressure. By removing the compression, the painful symptoms are relieved.

Stereotactic Radio Surgery – A non-invasive procedure that damages the nerve using targeted radiation therapy. This can include a single or multiple sessions of high-dose radiation using gamma-ray or x-ray beams. This is done mainly for patients who aren't fit for invasive surgery and general anesthesia.

Radiofrequency Yhizotomy – A procedure in which the surgeon inserts an electrode to heat the selected division or divisions of the nerve and destroy the parts that project the pain with the use of electricity.

Balloon Microdecompression – A needle is injected to the nerve followed by a catheter with a balloon on the end. Once in place, the needle is inflated with enough pressure to damage the nerve and block the pain signals. Pain relief is almost immediate however this is a less common procedure.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatments Abroad

If you are diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, you do not have to keep suffering from painful attacks. TicketMed will be happy to assist you with expert neurosurgery advice and information as well as scheduling treatments and surgery at top neurology clinics abroad. Contact us or ask for a quote.