The trigeminal nerve is the nerve that carries sensation from your face to your brain. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition which causes facial pain. The pain can be quite severe and have a significant impact on quality of life. Trigeminal neuralgia
occurs because the nerve’s function has been disrupted in some way. Often it’s the result of a blood vessel making contact with the trigeminal nerve, which puts pressure on the nerve, eventually wearing it down. Tumors or injuries to the nerve (sometimes after a facial surgery, for example) can also result in trigeminal neuralgia. Aging, as well as chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis, can also play a part in the development of trigeminal neuralgia, as they can damage the protective
covering of the nerve. Women are more likely to have trigeminal neuralgia than men, and risks increase over the age of 50. In many cases, pain episodes may start out as short and mild, but as the condition progresses, the episodes increase in length and intensity. Pain can range from sudden and severe, to constant and burning. It may impact one small area of the face, or it can spread in a larger pattern. Pain episodes can
last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Some people can go periods of time without attacks, and pain episodes are rarely felt when sleeping. There are often triggers that set off the pain. These can include: If you’re concerned that you may have trigeminal neuralgia, please visit
us at Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic. We’ll evaluate your condition with a full medical history and a physical examination that includes a neurological examination for vision, balance, and other possible impairments. The doctor may also order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to
generate detailed images of the body. Medications are almost always prescribed first, which can block pain signals and lessen the pain. When medications are not effective, surgical options at Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic include: Our neurosurgeons at Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic have extensive experience in
dealing with trigeminal neuralgia. To meet with one of our trigeminal neuralgia specialists, contact a nurse navigator. The UCSF Trigeminal Neuralgia Clinic provides advanced medical treatment for patients with trigeminal neuralgia, including surgical treatment when appropriate. For undiagnosed patients who are experiencing severe facial pain, our neurologists are experts in determining whether the pain is caused by trigeminal neuralgia or another disorder. Most patients begin with a comprehensive evaluation by a neurologist to determine what's causing their facial pain. If trigeminal neuralgia is found to be the cause for you, the doctor will first try to control your pain using medication. Our trigeminal neuralgia clinicians can evaluate patients at the San Francisco or San Mateo clinics. If medical management is not successful, surgical treatment may be an option, and you will be referred to our neurosurgeon for an evaluation. If you've already received a definitive diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia, and medication has not resolved your pain, your neurologist may refer you directly for an evaluation with our neurosurgeon at (415) 353-2241. Please note that patients may not self-refer for a surgical evaluation. We are part of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. We are one of the largest referral centers for trigeminal neuralgia in the United States. Dr. Edward Chang discusses trigeminal neuralgia treatment options at UCSF
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What type of neurologist treats trigeminal neuralgia?Teamwork. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologists), brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeons), and doctors trained in treating children who have brain and nervous system conditions (pediatric neurologists) diagnose and treat people who have trigeminal neuralgia.
Should I see a neurologist for trigeminal neuralgia?Most patients begin with a comprehensive evaluation by a neurologist to determine what's causing their facial pain. If trigeminal neuralgia is found to be the cause for you, the doctor will first try to control your pain using medication.
What is the latest treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?To treat trigeminal neuralgia, your doctor usually will prescribe medications to lessen or block the pain signals sent to your brain. Anticonvulsants. Doctors usually prescribe carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, others) for trigeminal neuralgia, and it's been shown to be effective in treating the condition.
What does a neurosurgeon do for trigeminal neuralgia?Surgical Management
The surgical options for trigeminal neuralgia include peripheral nerve blocks or ablation, gasserian ganglion and retrogasserian ablative (needle) procedures, craniotomy followed by microvascular decompression (MVD), and stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife®).
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Neurologist specializing in trigeminal neuralgia near me
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