Imaging tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can be very helpful in diagnosing trigeminal neuralgia. An MRI can help your doctor see if there is pressure on the trigeminal nerve.

Carbamazepine is the drug of choice for the initial treatment of trigeminal neuralgia; however, baclofen, gabapentin, and other drugs may provide relief in refractory cases. Neurosurgical treatments may help patients in whom medical therapy is unsuccessful or poorly tolerated.

Adverse effects of surgery include corneal anesthesia, facial numbness outside of the trigger zone, new facial pain, facial dysesthesias, and intracranial hemorrhage (rare). Anesthesia dolorosa (TN pain associated with dense hypesthesia) is usually a result of surgical treatment; this is difficult to treat.

Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are considered first-line therapy in trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

The procedure requires an average hospital stay of two days, and four to six weeks to return to normal daily activities. What are the potential side effects of MVD? MVD is a major surgery, and includes the procedure of craniotomy-cutting a small hole in the skull.

TN can be caused by a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve as it exits the brain stem. This compression causes the wearing away or damage to the protective coating around the nerve (the myelin sheath).

Trigeminal Neuralgia Diagnosis No single diagnostic tool is used to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia. Occasionally, an MRI or CT scan may be ordered to rule out other etiologies, like a tumor, MS or a stroke, when searching for a cause of your facial pain.

Anesthesia Dolorosa (AD) literally means painful numbness. This painful condition occurs when the trigeminal nerve is damaged in such a way that the sense of touch is diminished or eliminated while a malfunctioning sensation of pain is left intact. AD is referred to as a deafferentation pain syndrome.

Anesthesia Dolorosa (AD) is one of the most dreaded complications of the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. It occurs when the trigeminal nerve is damaged by surgery or physical trauma, resulting in numbness in the face, with pain present within the numb area.

Anesthesia dolorosa and trigeminal neuralgia AD pain is usually constant with a burning or jabbing quality, while trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is intermittent, with sharp, electric-like jabs. The distinction between the two can affect the course of treatment. Further destructive procedures for an AD patient may make the condition worse.

Serious sensory disturbance (e.g., anesthesia dolorosa) is rare after glycerol rhizolysis. However, transitory facial hypesthesia is a common phenomenon (up to 70%) after the procedure. The complaints usually vanish 3 to 6 months after the operation.5,8,40,58