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Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Review of the Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Management

Received: 3 May 2022    Accepted: 18 May 2022    Published: 13 July 2022
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Abstract

Trigeminal Neuralgia has been described by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons as ‘one of the most excruciating pains known to humanity’. It can have a severe and detrimental effect on the patient’s quality of life, and many feel that they cannot perform simple daily tasks or worse still consider a future, whilst suffering this intolerable pain. As Trigeminal Neuralgia has a tendency to mimic pain of dental origin, patients may therefore first seek dental advice and treatment with the hope of gaining some immediate relief of their symptoms. This article discusses a recent case of Trigeminal Neuralgia, which had a delayed diagnosis. It discusses both the immediate management of an acute episode, and subsequent pharmacological treatment using Carbamazepine. Within this paper we also consider the psychological impact this condition has on a patient’s wellbeing and quality of life. We also outline how patients can receive additional support and guidance. This article aims to give dental practitioners and health care professionals an overview of the commonly presenting clinical features, diagnosis, and management of Trigeminal Neuralgia whilst discussing a recent case the authors managed within the dental setting. It also considers the crucial role dentists, in particular, general dental practitioners, can have in the initial management and subsequent onward referral.

Published in Advances in Surgical Sciences (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ass.20221001.12
Page(s) 7-12
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cranial Nerve, Local Anaesthetic, Oral Medicine, Pain, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Trigeminal Nerve

References
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[6] Breivik H, Borchgrevink PC, Allen SM, et al. Assessment of pain. BJA Br J Anaesth 2008; 101: 17–24.
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[18] Zakrzewska JM, Patsalos P. Long-term cohort study comparing medical (oxcarbazepine) and surgical management of intractable trigeminal neuralgia. Pain 2002; 95: 259–66.
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[22] Baykal M., Kaplan M. Effects of oral carbamazepine with 2% lidocaine on maxillary and mandibular nerve blocks in trigeminal neuralgia. Duzce Med J. 2010; 12: 19–23.
[23] Moore D, Chong MS, Shetty A, Zakrzewska JM. A systematic review of rescue analgesic strategies in acute exacerbations of primary trigeminal neuralgia. Br J Anaesth. 2019; 123: 385–96.
[24] Di Stefano G, La Cesa S, Truini A, Crucci G. Natural history and outcome of 200 outpatients with classical trigeminal neuralgia treated with carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine in a tertiary centre for neuropathic pain. J Headache Pain. 2014; 15. doi: 10.1186/1129-2377-15-34.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Emma Carr, Peter Walker, Joanna Morrison. (2022). Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Review of the Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Management. Advances in Surgical Sciences, 10(1), 7-12. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ass.20221001.12

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    ACS Style

    Emma Carr; Peter Walker; Joanna Morrison. Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Review of the Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Management. Adv. Surg. Sci. 2022, 10(1), 7-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ass.20221001.12

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    AMA Style

    Emma Carr, Peter Walker, Joanna Morrison. Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Review of the Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Management. Adv Surg Sci. 2022;10(1):7-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ass.20221001.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ass.20221001.12,
      author = {Emma Carr and Peter Walker and Joanna Morrison},
      title = {Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Review of the Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Management},
      journal = {Advances in Surgical Sciences},
      volume = {10},
      number = {1},
      pages = {7-12},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ass.20221001.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ass.20221001.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ass.20221001.12},
      abstract = {Trigeminal Neuralgia has been described by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons as ‘one of the most excruciating pains known to humanity’. It can have a severe and detrimental effect on the patient’s quality of life, and many feel that they cannot perform simple daily tasks or worse still consider a future, whilst suffering this intolerable pain. As Trigeminal Neuralgia has a tendency to mimic pain of dental origin, patients may therefore first seek dental advice and treatment with the hope of gaining some immediate relief of their symptoms. This article discusses a recent case of Trigeminal Neuralgia, which had a delayed diagnosis. It discusses both the immediate management of an acute episode, and subsequent pharmacological treatment using Carbamazepine. Within this paper we also consider the psychological impact this condition has on a patient’s wellbeing and quality of life. We also outline how patients can receive additional support and guidance. This article aims to give dental practitioners and health care professionals an overview of the commonly presenting clinical features, diagnosis, and management of Trigeminal Neuralgia whilst discussing a recent case the authors managed within the dental setting. It also considers the crucial role dentists, in particular, general dental practitioners, can have in the initial management and subsequent onward referral.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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    AB  - Trigeminal Neuralgia has been described by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons as ‘one of the most excruciating pains known to humanity’. It can have a severe and detrimental effect on the patient’s quality of life, and many feel that they cannot perform simple daily tasks or worse still consider a future, whilst suffering this intolerable pain. As Trigeminal Neuralgia has a tendency to mimic pain of dental origin, patients may therefore first seek dental advice and treatment with the hope of gaining some immediate relief of their symptoms. This article discusses a recent case of Trigeminal Neuralgia, which had a delayed diagnosis. It discusses both the immediate management of an acute episode, and subsequent pharmacological treatment using Carbamazepine. Within this paper we also consider the psychological impact this condition has on a patient’s wellbeing and quality of life. We also outline how patients can receive additional support and guidance. This article aims to give dental practitioners and health care professionals an overview of the commonly presenting clinical features, diagnosis, and management of Trigeminal Neuralgia whilst discussing a recent case the authors managed within the dental setting. It also considers the crucial role dentists, in particular, general dental practitioners, can have in the initial management and subsequent onward referral.
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Author Information
  • Public Dental Service Ayrshire & Arran, Kilmarnock, ScotlandPublic Dental Service Ayrshire & Arran, Kilmarnock, Scotland

  • Public Dental Service Ayrshire & Arran, Kilmarnock, Scotland

  • Public Dental Service Ayrshire & Arran, Kilmarnock, Scotland

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