The pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia is distinctive when it manifests itself in full; in fact it is the history of the pain and only the history that can make the diagnosis. There is no diagnostic study, not even an MRI scan, that can make the diagnosis. Even the physical examination is most often normal with no evidence of sensory loss or motor weakness of the face, although touching “trigger points” on the face during the physical exam may reproduce the pain.

Unfortunately, many patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia undergo unsuccessful dental procedures (tooth extractions, root canals) in the early stages of the disease.

There is medical treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia and the medication of choice is Tegretol, an anti-epileptic drug. In fact, an initial good response to Tegretol is another confirmatory characteristic of the correct diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia. This fact can be very helpful in distinguishing Trigeminal Neuralgia from other conditions such as atypical facial pain. Unfortunately, the positive response of pain control that Tegretol has is just that – control, and not a cure. Although medications are extremely helpful in controlling pain for patients, they unfortunately do not cure pain and at higher doses, side effects are very common and often debilitating. The most gratifying neurosurgical procedures performed for pain are those that can completely eliminate the pain like the Microvascular Decompression procedure for Trigeminal Neuralgia. Please click on the link below for more detailed information on Trigeminal Neuralgia.