TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA: Inferring the core concepts
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) or Tic Douloureux is a type of sudden severe brief stabbing craniofacial pain caused by affliction of the fifth cranial nerve (5th CN). Several hypotheses exist with regards to the etiology, the most common being the neurovascular hypothesis. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by paroxysmal pain within the distribution of the divisions of the trigeminal nerve, and the diagnosis heavily relies on a patient’s description of triggered pain attacks. The condition is observed to have a fluctuant, exacerbating and remitting course over many years, with possible spontaneous remission occurring at any point in time. TN is one of the most debilitating diseases an individual may suffer and an early diagnosis of TN will provide patients with relief from suffering, unnecessary dental and medical intervention. Appropriate and early diagnosis of TN is important to formulate an optimal management plan based on the patient’s age and general condition.
Keywords: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Fifth cranial nerve, Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
