Trigeminal Neuralgia RUDOLPH M. KRAFFT, MD, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio Trigeminal neuralgia is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinat- ing pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Typically, brief attacks are triggered by talking, chewing, teeth brushing, shaving, a light touch, or even a cool breeze. The pain is nearly always unilateral, and it may occur repeatedly throughout the day. The diagnosis is typically deter- mined clinically, although imaging studies or referral for specialized testing may be necessary to rule out other diseases. Accurate and prompt diagnosis is important because the pain of tri- geminal neuralgia can be severe. 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. (Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(9):1291-1296. Copyright 2008 American Academy of Family Physicians.)
Trigeminal neuralgia was first 1and2percent,makingitthemostcommon
associated disease.2 Patients with hyperten-
sion have a slightly higher incidence of tri-
of the distinctive facial spasms that often
population.2 There is no racial predilection.2
Trigeminal neuralgia is generally sporadic,
Headache Society has published criteria for
although there have been reports of the dis-
the diagnosis of classical and symptomatic
trigeminal neuralgia (Table 1).1 In classi-
same family. Spontaneous remission is pos-
cal trigeminal neuralgia, no cause of the
sible, but most patients have episodic attacks
symptoms can be identified other than vas-
cular compression. Symptomatic trigeminalneuralgia has the same clinical criteria, but
Pathophysiology
another underlying cause is responsible for
It has been proposed that the symptoms of
elination of the nerve leading to ephaptic
geminal nerve (Figure 1), with the maxillary
transmission of impulses. Surgical speci-
branch involved the most often and the oph-
mens have demonstrated this demyelination
thalmic branch the least.2,3 The right side of
and close apposition of demyelinated axons
the face is affected more commonly than the
in the trigeminal root of patients with tri-
left (ratio of 1.5:1), which may be because of
axons are prone to ectopic impulses, which
The annual incidence of trigeminal neural-
may transfer from light touch to pain fibers
gia has been reported as 4.3 per 100,000 pop-
in close proximity (ephaptic conduction).5
ulation, with a slight female predominance
(age-adjusted ratio of 1.74:1).2 Primary care
physicians might expect to encounter this
compression of the nerve root by aberrant
condition two to four times over the course
or tortuous vessels. Pathologic and radio-
of a 35-year career. The peak incidence is at
logic studies have demonstrated proximity
60 to 70 years of age, and classical trigeminal
of the nerve root to such vessels, usually
neuralgia is unusual before age 40 years.2,3
the superior cerebellar artery.5 Relief of
symptoms by surgical techniques that sepa-
patients with multiple sclerosis is between
rate the offending vessels from the nerve
Downloaded from the American Family Physician Web site at www.aafp.org/afp. Copyright 2008 American Academy of Family Physicians. For the private, noncommercial use of one individual user of the Web site. All other rights reserved. Contact copyrights@aafp.org for copyright questions and/or permission requests. Trigeminal Neuralgia SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Physicians should obtain magnetic resonance imaging in all patients with suspected trigeminal neuralgia.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) should be the initial treatment for patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia
because it has been found to be successful in most cases and no other medication has been shown to be superior in large studies.
Surgical options should be considered for patients who have persistent pain after trials with several
medications or who have a relapse after initial success with medical treatment. A = consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence; B = inconsistent or limited quality patient-oriented evidence; C = consensus, disease-oriented evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series. For information about the SORT evidence rating system, see page 1205 or http://www.aafp.org/afpsort.xml.
further strengthens this hypothesis. Demyelination has
nerve and the generation of ectopic impulses that are
also been demonstrated in cases of trigeminal neuralgia
spread ephaptically to precipitate the typical attack.
associated with multiple sclerosis or tumors affectingthe nerve root. Diagnosis
Multiple other causes of trigeminal neuralgia have
The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia should be consid-
been described, including amyloid infiltration, arterio-
ered in all patients with unilateral facial pain. Accurate
venous malformations, bony compression, and small
and prompt diagnosis is important because the pain of
infarcts in the pons and medulla. In most of these situ-
trigeminal neuralgia can be severe. Other diagnoses must
ations, demyelination may also be an underlying cause.
also be considered, particularly in patients with atypical
Most investigators now accept the theory that classical
features of the disease or "red flags" in the history or phys-
trigeminal neuralgia results from vascular compression
ical examination (Table 2). In addition, it is important to
of the nerve root. This leads to demyelination of the
distinguish classical from symptomatic trigeminal neu-ralgia for the purpose of treatment. Symptomatic trigemi-nal neuralgia is always secondary to another disorder, and
Table 1. IHS Diagnostic Criteria
treatment should focus on the underlying condition. for Trigeminal Neuralgia Classical
Because trigeminal neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis, the
A. Paroxysmal attacks of pain lasting from a fraction of a second
patient's history is critical in the evaluation. Patients with
to two minutes, affecting one or more divisions of the
trigeminal neuralgia present with a primary description
trigeminal nerve, and fulfilling criteria B and C
B. Pain has at least one of the following characteristics:
of recurrent episodes of unilateral facial pain. Attacks
1. Intense, sharp, superficial, or stabbing
last only seconds and may recur infrequently or as often
2. Precipitated from trigger zones or by trigger factors
as hundreds of times each day; they rarely occur during
C. Attacks are stereotyped in the individual patient
sleep. The pain is generally severe, and is described as a
D. There is no clinically evident neurologic deficit
stabbing, sharp, shock-like, or superficial pain in the dis-
tribution of one or more of the trigeminal nerve divisions. Symptomatic
Patients generally are asymptomatic between episodes,
A. Paroxysmal attacks of pain lasting from a fraction of a second
although some patients with long-standing trigeminal
to two minutes, with or without persistence of aching between
neuralgia have a persistent dull ache in the same area.
paroxysms, affecting one or more divisions of the trigeminal
Talking, smiling, chewing, teeth brushing, and shaving
have all been implicated as triggers for the pain. Even a
B. Pain has at least one of the following characteristics:
breeze touching the face may cause a paroxysm of pain
1. Intense, sharp, superficial, or stabbing
in some patients. In trigger zones-small areas near the
2. Precipitated from trigger zones or by trigger factors
nose or mouth in patients with trigeminal neuralgia-
C. Attacks are stereotyped in the individual patient
minimal stimulation initiates a painful attack. Patients
D. A causative lesion, other than vascular compression, has been
with trigeminal neuralgia can pinpoint these areas and
demonstrated by special investigations and/or posterior fossa exploration
will assiduously avoid any stimulation of them. Not allpatients with trigeminal neuralgia have trigger zones, but
IHS = International Headache Society.
trigger zones are nearly pathognomonic for this disorder.
The patient's history is also important for ruling out
other causes of facial pain. Because of the association
1292 American Family Physician Volume 77, Number 9 V May 1, 2008Trigeminal Neuralgia
attacks; a change in the location, severity, orquality of the pain should alert the physician
to the possibility of an alternative diagnosis. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
The physical examination in patients withtrigeminal neuralgia is generally normal. Therefore, physical examination in patients
with facial pain is most useful for identifying
abnormalities that point to other diagno-ses. The physician should perform a careful
examination of the head and neck, with an
emphasis on the neurologic examination.
dibular joint (TMJ) should be examined for
problems that might cause facial pain.
The finding of typical trigger zones verifies
Figure 1. Trigeminal nerve.
the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. Patientswith classical trigeminal neuralgia have a
between trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis,
normal neurologic examination. Sensory abnormalities
patients should be asked about other neurologic symp-
in the trigeminal area, loss of corneal reflex, or evidence
toms, particularly those common in multiple sclerosis
of any weakness in the facial muscles should prompt the
(e.g., ataxia, dizziness, focal weakness, unilateral vision
physician to consider symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia
changes). An evaluation for other diagnoses is indicated
or another cause of the patient's symptoms.
in younger patients, because classical trigeminal neural-gia is unusual in persons younger than 40 years.3
ANCILLARY TESTING
Trigeminal neuralgia pain is nearly always unilateral.
Laboratory studies generally are not helpful in patients
In rare cases of bilateral trigeminal neuralgia, individ-
with typical symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. Occasion-
ual attacks are usually unilateral, with distinct episodes
ally, TMJ or dental radiographs may be useful when TMJ
involving each side of the face at separate times. Symp-
syndrome or dental pain is in the differential diagnosis.
toms are always confined to the trigeminal nerve distri-
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is use-
bution, with most cases involving the second or third
ful to look for multiple sclerosis, tumors, or other causes
division, or both. The asymptomatic period between
of symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia, and it should be
attacks is important to distinguish classical trigeminal
performed in the initial evaluation of all patients pre-
neuralgia from other causes of facial pain, as well as
senting with trigeminal neuralgia symptoms. One study
from symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia. Patients with
found that specific clinical variables may be helpful indetermining the likely utility of MRI, which may be use-ful in prioritizing MRI studies when there is limited MRIcapacity.6 Some studies have indicated that MRI may pre-
Table 2. Atypical Features Suggesting
dict surgery outcomes based on findings of neurovascular
Symptomatic Trigeminal Neuralgia or
contact or the volume of the affected trigeminal nerve.7-9
an Alternative Diagnosis
One recent study demonstrated that trigeminal reflex
testing could distinguish classical from symptomatic
trigeminal neuralgia with a sensitivity of 96 percent
and a specificity of 93 percent.10 Trigeminal reflex test-
ing involves electrical stimulation of the divisions of the
trigeminal nerve and measurement of the response with
standard electromyography apparatus. This testing is
not readily available to most physicians, and its indica-tions and clinical utility are still unclear. May 1, 2008 V Volume 77, Number 9American Family Physician 1293 Trigeminal Neuralgia Table 3. Differential Diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia Features that differentiate from trigeminal
treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is pro-
Longer-lasting pain; orbital or supraorbital; may
cause patient to wake from sleep; autonomic symptoms
Treatment
Localized; related to biting or hot or cold foods;
visible abnormalities on oral examination
The initial treatment of choice for trigemi-
Persistent pain; temporal; often bilateral; jaw
nal neuralgia is medical therapy, and most
patients have at least temporary relief with
Pain in tongue, mouth, or throat; brought on by
the use of selected agents. Patients who have
no response to or who relapse with medical
May have other neurologic symptoms or signs
therapy should be considered for surgical
Longer-lasting pain; associated with photophobia
treatment.12-14 Surgery may also be consid-
ered for patients who are intolerant of medi-
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Pain in forehead or eye; autonomic symptoms;
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) has been studied
extensively in trigeminal neuralgia, with one
Continuous pain; tingling; history of zoster; often
meta-analysis finding good evidence for its
effectiveness.15 A Cochrane review confirmed
Persistent pain; associated nasal symptoms
that carbamazepine is effective for the treat-
ment of trigeminal neuralgia.16 The number
Persistent pain; localized tenderness; jaw
needed to treat has been calculated at 2.5 for
trigeminal neuralgia. The number needed to
harm for minor adverse events is 3.7, which
SUNCT = shorter lasting, unilateral neuralgiform, conjunctival injection, and tearing.
was calculated using data for all conditions.16
bamazepine is useful as a diagnostic trialfor classical trigeminal neuralgia. Lack of
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
response would suggest symptomatic trigeminal neu-
Some disorders that might be included in the differential
ralgia or another diagnosis, both of which are less likely
diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia are listed in Table 3.11 A
to respond to the drug. Dosages used have ranged from
careful examination may disclose local findings indica-
100 to 2,400 mg per day, with most patients responding
tive of otitis, sinusitis, dental disorders, or TMJ dysfunc-
to 200 to 800 mg per day in two or three divided doses.
tion. A history of persistent pain or pain that occurs
Carbamazepine should be the initial treatment for
episodically in attacks lasting longer than two minutes
patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia. Other medi-
eliminates classical trigeminal neuralgia and should lead
cations may be tried if carbamazepine is unsuccessful or
to a search for other diagnoses. The pain of glossopha-
provides only partial relief. These may be substituted or
ryngeal neuralgia, which may be triggered by talking or
added to carbamazepine as necessary. Baclofen (Liore-
swallowing, is located in the tongue and pharynx.
sal) in dosages of 10 to 80 mg daily has been shown to be
Symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia is usually caused by
useful.17 Additional medications with reported success in
multiple sclerosis or by tumors arising near the trigeminal
smaller studies or case reports include phenytoin (Dilan-
nerve root. A history of previous neurologic symptoms
tin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), gabapentin (Neurontin),
and typical findings on MRI assist with the diagnosis of
topiramate (Topamax), clonazepam (Klonopin), pimo-
multiple sclerosis. Tumors involving the trigeminal nerve
zide (Orap), and valproic acid (Depakene).13,18-23 Most
usually cause additional symptoms or examination find-
patients will respond, at least temporarily, to single or
combination therapy with these agents.
A variety of other medications and modalities have
The initial choice of treat-
been tried for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. There
ment for trigeminal neural-
are small studies reporting success with botulinum toxin
gia is medical therapy.
type A (Botox) in some patients,24 and one case report
of relief being experienced after an accidentally high
1294 American Family Physician Volume 77, Number 9 V May 1, 2008Trigeminal Neuralgia
discharge from a transcutaneous electrical nerve stim-
was insufficient evidence from randomized controlled
ulation unit.25 Topical capsaicin (Zostrix) was helpful
trials to show significant benefit from non-antiepileptic
for trigeminal neuralgia pain in one open-label trial,26
drugs in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.32
and intramuscular sumatriptan (Imitrex) was benefi-cial in one small, single-dose study.27 One recent study
SURGICAL TREATMENT
found that intranasal lidocaine (Xylocaine) significantly
Surgical procedures may be percutaneous or open. The
decreased second-division trigeminal neuralgia pain
choice of procedure should be made after patient preference
for more than four hours.28 Acupuncture, high-dose
and the experience of the surgeon have been considered
dextromethorphan (Delsym), and topical ophthalmic
and the potential risks and benefits of each procedure have
anesthetic have been tried unsuccessfully in small tri-
been evaluated. Most procedures provide effective short-
als.29-31 A recent Cochrane review concluded that there
term relief, but studies suggest that recurrence is likely
within several years for many patients.33-40
Diagnosis and Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia
injection, balloon compression, radiofre-quency rhizotomy, and gamma knife stereo-
Patient with unilateral, episodic facial pain
tactic radiosurgery. These techniques offerthe advantage of being relatively noninvasive,
only a short hospital stay, and lacking life-threatening adverse effects. However, theymay provide less long-lasting relief than the
more invasive techniques and have a higher
incidence of sensory loss, which may cause
abnormal examination, or age < 40 years
the patient significant discomfort and can beextremely difficult to treat.
nal rhizotomy and microvascular decom-pression. These procedures involve posterior
fossa exploration with its attendant risks,
although the reported incidence of thesecomplications with microvascular decom-
pression is less than 2 percent. Microvasculardecompression appears to provide the longestlasting relief, with persistent relief at 10 years
in more than 70 percent of patients.36,41,42 It
has low risks of symptom recurrence andsensory loss, and is therefore a good choicefor young, healthy patients, who have lower
risks of adverse outcomes with the invasivesurgery involved.
The author thanks Brian Selius, DO, and Azfar Ahmed, MD, for their assistance in the preparation and review of
The Author
RUDOLPH M. KRAFFT, MD, is an associate professor of family medicine at Northeastern Ohio Universities Col-lege of Medicine in Rootstown and director of the Fam-
Figure 2. Algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal ily Medicine Residency at St. Elizabeth Health Center in
neuralgia. (MRI = magnetic resonance imaging.)
Youngstown, Ohio. He received his medical degree from
Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University,
May 1, 2008 V Volume 77, Number 9American Family Physician 1295 Trigeminal Neuralgia
Philadelphia, Pa., and completed a residency in family medicine at St. Vin-
trigine (lamictal) in refractory trigeminal neuralgia: results from a dou-
ble-blind placebo controlled crossover trial. Pain. 1997;73(2):223-230.
20. Cheshire WP. Defining the role for gabapentin in the treatment of tri-
Address correspondence to Rudolph M. Krafft, MD, FAAFP, 1053 Bel-
geminal neuralgia: a retrospective study. J Pain. 2002;3(2):137-142. mont Ave., Youngstown, OH 44504 (e-mail: rudolph_krafft@hmis.
21. Gilron I, Booher SL, Rowan JS, Max MB. Topiramate in trigeminal neu-
org). Reprints are not available from the author.
ralgia: a randomized, placebo-controlled multiple crossover pilot study.
Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2001;24(2):109-112.
22. Lechin F, van der Dijs B, Lechin ME, et al. Pimozide therapy for trigeminal
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Department of Anesthesiology University of Colorado Denver Bioscience East, Suite 100 1999 North Fitzsimons Parkway Aurora, Colorado 80045-7503, USA Phone: +1 303 724 5670 Fax: +1 303 724 5662TEST SAMPLEBUSINESS ADDRESSDENVER, COLORADO, 80202Accession: 3-189-12345Patient name: Tom SmithSample: 5218 Drug Class Summary Results for Comprehensive Urine Drug Test POSITIVE Analgesics POSI