title: Trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a well recognized syndrome characterized by lancinating attacks of severe facial pain. The diagnosis of TN is based on a history of characteristic pain attacks that are consistent with specific widely accepted criteria for the diagnosis. TN pain attacks may result from physiologic changes induced by a chronic partial injury to the brainstem trigeminal nerve root from a variety of causes. An early and accurate diagnosis of TN is important, because therapeutic interventions can reduce or eliminate pain attacks in the large majority of TN patients.
authors.affiliation: Craniofacial Pain Center, Tufts University, Boston, Mass 02111, USA. steven.scrivani@tufts.edu
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Scrivani
authors.forename: Ernest S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maciewicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants