Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatments

Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia (Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia)

This subcategory of Trigeminal Neuralgia refers to a patient that develops the disorder without apparent cause, apart from neurovascular compression. This means that the nerve itself has become damaged as a direct result of compression from the vascular system i.e. the veins and arteries. This normally happens at the site of the trigeminal nerve root, in the brainstem.

Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia can further be split into “Purely Paroxysmal” and “with Concomitant Continuous Pain” with the former being associated with pain-free periods between attacks, and the latter being associated with more mild pain between attacks.

Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia

This subtype of trigeminal neuralgia presents with facial pain that is less severe and more constant compared to classic TN. The pain is often described as dull, aching, burning, or stabbing and may involve multiple branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia

This subcategory of Trigeminal Neuralgia refers to a patient that develops the disorder as a result of an underlying disease.

Recognized causes are Multiple Sclerosis, a tumour in the cerebellopontine angle, or arteriovenous malformation.

Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain (TNP)

Trigeminal neuropathic pain is a broader term that encompasses various chronic facial pain syndromes resulting from damage or dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve. It may include conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia (resulting from shingles), traumatic neuropathy (due to facial trauma), or other neuropathic pain disorders affecting the trigeminal nerve.

Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

This subcategory of Trigeminal Neuralgia refers to a patient that experiences symptoms consistent with Trigeminal Neuralgia, however, they demonstrate no obvious abnormalities via electrophysiological tests or MRIs. Much like Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia, this diagnosis may suggest pathology of the brainstem.

Trigeminal Neuralgia may also be split into “Purely Paroxysmal” and “with Concomitant Continuous Pain”  with the former being associated with pain-free periods between attacks, and the latter, associated with more mild pain between attacks. Persistent idiopathic facial pain in between severe attacks is seen in around half of all Trigeminal Neuralgia sufferers.

It is not uncommon for Trigeminal Neuralgia sufferers to go undiagnosed for long periods of time or even misdiagnosed, as the symptoms presented can be similar to those of Migraine Headaches, or Cluster Headaches.