Neuralgia Flashcards
What is neuralgia
nerve pain
How does neuralgia present
- usually brief but severe
- pain extends along course of affected nerve
- usually caused by irritation/damage
What are the commonly effected nerves
- trigeminal
- glossopharyngeal and vagus
- nervus intermedius
- occipital
What is nervus intermedius
- branch of the facial
- supplies submandibular and sublingual glands
What does the occipital nerve branch from
c2 and c3
supplies scalp
What is the epiemiology of trigeminal neuralgia
- uncommon
- F>M
- usually elderly px >60 YO
What are the types of trigeminal neuralgia
- idiopathic - no known cause
- classical
- secondary
What is classical TN
- vascular compression - aka vascular trigeminal conflict
- MRI will demonstrate close relationship between vessel and nerve as well as vascular compression
What can cause secondary TN
- multiple sclerosis
- intra-cranial lesions e.g tumour (benign/malignant)
- skull base deformity
- connective tissue disease
- arterial venous malformation
What is the presentation of trigeminal neuralgia
- unilateral pain
- usually along maxillary or mandibular division
- stabbing pain
- 5-10 second duration
- remission and relapse
What can trigger TN
- cutaneous
- touch
- chewing
- wind
- cold
What do px experience between TN attaacks
may be no pain - purly paroxysmal
may be continuous pain on which the attacks are superimposed
How may TN present as a hybrid of other cranial nerve pain disorders
- may be >1 division effected
- may be bilateral
- may have burning component
- may have vasomotor component
What are TN red flags
- young px - <40
- sensory deficit - more associated with trigeminal neuropathy
- presence of hearing loss may indicate acoustic neuroma
- other cranial nerve deficits = urgent imaging
What should every px recieve
full cranial nerve exam
MRI
What is the mangement of TN
- drug therapy
- pain diary
- LA
- surgery
What is the first line drugs for TN management
carbamazepine - prolonged release
oxycarbazepine
lamotrigine