TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA or TN is a very disturbing chronic pain condition. The pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia is felt on one side of face. It is usually a series of sharp pain attacks that can last form a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The main difference of this pain from other causes of face pain like Post Herpetic Neuralgia is the consecutive nature of pain in a series of sharp pain attacks compared to constant pain in other conditions. Trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve that comes out of brain and exits the skull at the base of skull, coming into the face. It is a sensory nerve and is divided into three branches: Ophthalmic, Maxillary and Mandibular. Each branch gives sensation to one part of the face from forehead to mid face and lower part of the face. It is believed that this nerve may get compressed by an artery that is very close to it on its path. This compression may cause damage to the covering of the nerve. Damaged nerves may send pain signals to brain instead of sensory signals. Trigeminal nerve’s covering may become compressed by other reasons like tumours, or become damaged secondary to other diseases like MS.
Diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia is through proper history taking, paying attention to the nature of the pain, proper physical examination to rule out other causes and some diagnostic tests like: MRI of brain to rule out tumors or MS and MRA (magnetic resonance Angiography) to observe the nerve compression by the artery.
Over the years, I have dealt with many patients who suffer from this condition. I have seen the enormous suffering they have to go through each day of their life. Patients need to know that early treatments would provide better outcomes than late interventions. So, inform yourself and see your doctor as soon as the pain starts.
Dr. Kevin ROD – Toronto Poly Clinic
