Trigeminal neuralgia

Question 1

Clinical features

Answer 1

• unilateral electric shock like pain
• sudden onset
• limited to one division of trigeminal nerve

Question 2

Triggers for Trigeminal Neuralgia pain

Answer 2

• light touch
  e.g. washing, shaving, smoking, talking, and brushing the teeth

Question 3

RED FLAG symptoms in Trigeminal Neuralgia

Answer 3

• Sensory changes
• Deafness/ear problems
• skin or oral lesions
• Pain only in the ophthalmic division
• Optic neuritis
• FHx multiple sclerosis
• Age of onset <40 years

Question 4

Management of trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 4

carbamazepine

Question 5

When should you refer a patient with Trigeminal neuralgia to a neurologist

Answer 5

• failure to respond to treatment - atypical features (e.g. < 50 years old)