Trigeminal Nerve Treatment

1. Medications:

Initial stage of treatment is drug therapy for one or two months. The effectiveness of drugs in controlling the pain can help clinical diagnosis.
But medications can only be a temporary solution, not a permanent cure for the true cause of trigeminal neuralgia that is: external factors compressing on the nerve and make it short-circuit.

Generally doctor will consider medications for

  1. Its effective pain control
  2. Without intolerable side effects to patients: sleepy and drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, etc.
  3. Patient do not want procedure or surgery
  4. iv) Patient are not suitable for procedure or surgery

Commonly used drugs include:

  • Antiepileptic drugs
  • Pain medication
  • Antidepressants
  • Muscle relaxants

2. Interventional Procedures:

  • Trigeminal nerve injection therapy
  • Semilunar ganglion injection of alcohol treatment
  • Semilunar ganglion radio-frequency electrocoagulation therapy
  • Balloon pressure for semilunar ganglion compression

3. Microsurgery

Microvascular decompression of trigeminal nerve:

  • Nowadays the most commonly used and effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia
  • Under microscope, neurosurgeon will separate the blood vessels from compressing the trigeminal nerve, thus removing the origin of short-circuit that cause pain.
  • Operation required general anesthesia
  • Wound, of few cm long, is mainly behind the ears and the hair line.

4. Radiosurgery

  • Cyberknife radiosurgery for those patients who are not suitable for procedure or surgery

If delaying treatment, what would be the consequences?

  1. Prolonged pressure on the nerve will cause irreversible diseased changes at nerve, thus reduce the cure rates of microsurgery.
  2. Social issues: trigeminal neuralgia may make patients unable to carry out normal social interaction and daily activities.
  3. Emotional disturbances: chronic pain can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.

How to determine if they are suffering from trigeminal neuralgia?
Before any invasive procedure or surgery, you should seek professional advice:

  • Dentists
  • Neurosurgeons

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Trigeminal Nerve

Trigeminal Nerve

Trigeminal Nerve

Trigeminal Nerve

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