title: The treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: The etiology of trigeminal neuralgia has yet to be elucidated. Thus it is not surprising that no ideal treatment is currently available. The current treatment of choice is medical; Pharmacologic management should be tried to its fullest extent. Increasing dosages and using combination drug therapies are recommended before considering a surgical approach. If drug therapy does not alleviate the pain, a surgical approach may be indicated, although 100% effectivity is not expected. Until the true etiology of trigeminal neuralgia is established, controversy will remain in the treatment of this complex disorder.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Busch
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery