Trigeminal Neuralgia

Neuralgia is defined as neuropathic pain felt along the peripheral distribution of the nerve trunk. Trigeminal neuralgia is defined as sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing recurrent episodes of pain within the distribution of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve.The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is based primarily on a history of characteristic pain attacks that are consistent with specific, widely accepted research and clinical criteria for the diagnosis. The cause of trigeminal neuralgia pain attacks is not known.Trigeminal neuralgia is treated mainly by pharmacological methods. Other treatment modalities include surgical, TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), acupuncture, psychological methods. Medical management of trigeminal neuralgia is mainly with anticonvulsants and skeletal muscle relaxants.