Trigeminal Neuralgia: Intraoperative vs. Imaging Evidence

Interesting study about treating trigeminal neuralgia, comparing high-resolution MRI imaging versus direct viewing of the nerve through surgery.

The study noted that “while high-resolution imaging is increasingly used in guiding decisions about surgical interventions for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, direct assessment of the extent of vascular contact of the trigeminal nerve is still considered the gold standard for the determination of whether nerve decompression is warranted.”  Read the study abstract here.

More Information about Trigeminal neuralgia
Video: Watch Dr. Newell explain symptoms and treatment options for Trigeminal neuralgia.
Website: Read more about symptoms and treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic doloureux, is a condition characterized by episodes of intense facial pain that lasts from a few seconds to several minutes or hours. The pain occurs in areas of the face where the trigeminal nerve supplies normal sensation: cheek, jaw, teeth, gums and lips, and sometimes the eye or forehead. This condition causes sudden, sharp and very severe pain, usually only on one side of the face. The pain is described as feeling like stabbing electric shocks, burning, crushing, exploding or shooting pain.