Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureaux)
Trigeminal Neuralgia is manifested by unpredictable, repeated, severe attacks of face pain that are often provoked by normal activities such as eating, talking or touching the face. Touching a "trigger area" or sensitive spot commonly provokes the pain. Trigeminal Neuralgia may affect the forehead, cheek, lower jaw or any combination of these areas. There may be long periods of remission (periods without pain) between attacks. Over time the attacks usually become more frequent and persistent. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is one option for treating trigeminal neuralgia. Numbness of a portion of one side of the face may occur rarely after treatment. The physician should review all available therapies to help the patient decide which type of treatment may be best for each individual circumstance.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Links
Links to information about trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, vagal neuralgia, superior laryngeal neuralgia, nervus intermedius or geniculate neuralgia, and hemifacial spasm, with special emphasis on surgical treatments such as microvascular decompression, Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, and radiofrequency lesioning.