Trigeminal neuralgia

Part I

Bayer DB, Stenger TG. "Trigeminal neuralgia: an overview". Neuralgia. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 10/1/2009 Database MasterFILE Premier Retrieved fro EBSCOHOST

Radiosurgery is performed by delivering a high dose of ionizing radiation in a single treatment session using multiple beams precisely focused at the target inside the brain. Several reports have documented the efficacy of Gamma Knife®‚ stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia . Because radiosurgery is the least invasive procedure for trigeminal neuralgia, it is a good treatment option for patients with co-morbidities, high-risk medical illness, or pain refractory to prior surgical procedures. Linstrom, Christopher. Vital Signs. Discover, 02747529, Apr2010, Vol. 31, Issue 3

Database: MasterFILE PremierRetrieved fro EBSCOHOST

These are often around the nose and mouth. Because of these, some people do not wash or shave for fear of triggering a pain. Eating, talking, smoking, brushing teeth, or swallowing may also trigger a pain. Willis, Mark W., Mobley, Steven Ross.. Trigeminal trophic syndrome. ENT: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, 01455613, Mar2009, Vol. 88, Issue 3 Database: MasterFILE Premier

The nerves from second branch go to the area around your cheek. The nerves from the third branch go to the area around your jaw. The branches of the trigeminal nerve take sensations of touch and pain to the brain from your face, teeth and mouth. The trigeminal nerve also controls the muscles used in chewing, and the production of saliva and tears.

Sarmah. "Nerve disorder's pain so bad it's called the 'suicide disease'". Medill Reports Chicago. 2008 Throat Journal, 01455613, May2009 Supplement Database: MasterFILE Premier Retrieved fro EBSCOHOST

Neuralgia means pain coming from a nerve. In TN you have sudden pains that come from one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. The pains are usually severe. The second and third branches are the most commonly affected. The pain is stabbing ("like electric shocks"), piercing, sharp, or knife like. It usually lasts a few seconds but can last up to two minutes. The pain can be so sudden and severe that you may jerk or grimace with pain.

Palacios, Enrique, Breaux, Jack, Alvernia, Jorge E. Hemifacial spasm. ENT: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, 01455613, Jul2008, Vol. 87, Issue 7 Database: MasterFILE Premier

Between 1992 and 2007, a more than 750 radiosurgical procedures for TN were performed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Our report summarizes the long-term outcome in 220 patients who had undergone Gamma Knife® radiosurgery for idiopathic, longstanding pain refractory to medical therapy. One hundred and thirty-five patients (61.4%) had prior surgeries including microvascular decompression, glycerol rhizotomy, radiofrequency rhizotomy, balloon compression, peripheral neurectomy, or ethanol injections.

Pogodzinski, Matthew S., Shallop, Jon K., Sprung, Juraj, Weingarten, Toby N., Wong, Gilbert Y., McDonald, Thomas J.. Hearing loss and cerebrospinal fluid pressure: Case report and review of the literature. By: ENT: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, 01455613, Mar2008, Vol. 87, Issue 3 Between attacks of pain, there are usually no other symptoms, the nerve works normally, and a doctor's examination would find no abnormality.

Part II

Introduction

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux, is a pain ...