Trigeminal Neuralgia - Diagnosis & Treatment

Symptoms & Causes Diagnosis & Treatment

How is trigeminal neuralgia diagnosed?

Diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia involves:

Discussion of medical history and physical examination by a healthcare provider.
Neurological examination to assess nerve function and identify affected areas.
Imaging studies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging to identify any structural causes, such as tumours or blood vessel abnormalities.

Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia aims to relieve pain and improve quality of life. Options include:

Neuromodulating medications. These medications help manage pain in trigeminal neuralgia by altering how nerves communicate pain signals. By stabilising nerve activity, they can reduce the sharp, sudden pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia, allowing people to feel more comfortable and improve their quality of life.
Surgical procedures
Microvascular Decompression (MVD). Surgery to relieve pressure on the trigeminal nerve.
Radiofrequency rhizotomy. A procedure to selectively destroy nerve fibres.
Gamma knife radiosurgery. A non-invasive procedure using focused radiation to damage the nerve and reduce pain.
Nerve blocks and botox injections. Local anaesthetics or steroids to temporarily relieve pain.
Lifestyle modifications. Stress management, avoiding triggers, and adopting a soft diet to reduce pain during eating.