Trigeminal neuralgia

Question 1

Define trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 1

Facial pain syndrome affecting 1> of the trigeminal nerve branches USUALLY 1 SIDE

usually sharp short stabbing pain

compression/demyelination are main cause

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factors of trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 2

80% are due to compression-can see the compression on imagery-can be due to vascular or tumours or idiopathic
herpes, trauma

20%-demyelination-MS

Risk factors-AGE, MS, female, hypertension

Question 3

Epidiemology of trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 3

13 in 10000 in UK -quite common

Question 4

Signs and symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 4

required for diagnosis-facial pain, short (2min) stabbing, intense
usually unilateral
can come after oroparageal or face trauma, herpes

Question 5

Investigations of trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 5

nada-clinical diagnosis
might want to investigate if possible tumour cause or MS
mainly if fail initial medical therapy