|
 Trigeminal
neuralgia (TN), or tic douloureux, is one of the most painful
afflictions known. It is characterized by episodes of excruciating stabbing
or electrical shock-like pains which are confined to one side of the
face. The brief episodes of pain last up to two minutes and may occur
spontaneously or be triggered by light stimulation, such as washing,
shaving, combing, showering, talking, brushing teeth, chewing, eating
and drinking. During periods of exacerbation, these pain attacks may
occur many times per day and can be difficult to control with medical
treatments. Even during periods of remission, TN sufferers may live
in fear of the next flare-up which inevitably occurs without treatment.
The
most common cause of TN is compression upon the trigeminal nerve root
by one or more blood vessels. Such "neurovascular" or "microvascular"
compression leads to irritation of the trigeminal sensory system, a
state of neural hyperactivity, and Typical TN. There are other categories
and causes of TN, including atypical TN, pre-TN, multiple-sclerosis-related
TN, secondary or tumor related TN, post-traumatic TN (trigeminal neuropathy),
and "failed" TN.
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