Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureux)

Question 1

General characteristics

Answer 1

ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL CONDITIONS KNOWN TO MANKIND

Usually idiopathic.

Question 2

Clinical features

Answer 2

• Brief (seconds to minutes) but frequent attacks of severe, lancinating facial pain
• Involves jaw, lips, gums, maxillary area (ophthalmic division less commonly affected)
• Recurrent attacks may continue for weeks at a time
• No motor or sensory paralysis

Question 3

Dx

Answer 3

Clinical dx

MRI–to r/o cerebellopontine angle tumor

Question 4

Tx

Answer 4

Carbamazepine

Complete, spontaneous resolution in 85% of cases