TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

The trigeminal nerve is often referred to as the great sensory nerve of the head. The trigeminal nerve originates in an area of the brain called the pons, and is made up of parts related to both feeling (sensory) and movement (motor). There are two trigeminal nerves, one for each side of the head and face. The nerve affects feeling to the skin of the cheek, upper lip and upper teeth, and sensory impulses from the chin, inside the mouth, lower teeth, and front two-thirds of the tongue. When the trigeminal nerve becomes irritated, the result can be the painful condition known as trigeminal neuralgia.

It is not known what causes trigeminal neuralgia. Many experts believe that pressure by adjacent arteries against the trigeminal nerve near its entry into the brain causes most cases of the disease. Trauma, infection of the teeth or jaw, as well as flu-like illnesses may contribute to the disorder. Pressure on the nerve by an aneurysm, tumor, or inflammation can produce nerve irritation which results in symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. Pain from trigeminal neuralgia causes a great deal of suffering and limitation of activities of daily living.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include:

	Severe pain (similar to an electric shock) in the face, mouth, or teeth of the affected side.
	Heightened sensitivity around the mouth and nose, which, when touched, may trigger an attack. Other things such as exposure to cold, eating or drinking, particularly cold liquids or food, brushing the hair or teeth, or washing the face may also trigger attacks.
	Involuntary contortions (also known as tic douloureux) of the face in response to the pain.
	Bouts of pain for several weeks or months in a row, followed by a spontaneous cessation of symptoms. Periods of remission may last for days or years, but they tend to become shorter as the patient ages.

TREATMENT

Many therapeutic methods, including medications, local nerve blocking, surgical, and radiosurgical procedures, have been developed in an effort to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Your physician will talk to you about the appropriate treatment for you and possible side effects.

TREATMENT WITH GAMMA KNIFE RADIO SURGERY

In Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, a single highly concentrated dose of ionizing radiation is delivered to a small, precise target at the trigeminal nerve root. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is non-invasive and avoids many of the risks and complications of open surgery and other treatments. Treatment results in long-term pain relief in nearly 90% of the patients. Some loss of sensation (numbness) occurs in 10% to 15% of treated patients.

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