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Trigeminal Neuralgia
- affects trigeminal (5th) cranial nerve
- more in people >50 yrs
- pain w/sudden intense facial spasms
- one-sided
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Trigeminal Neuralgia-assessment
- is a chronic pain symdrome
- pain described as excruciating, sharp, shooting, piercing, burning
- bouts of pain followed by remission
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Trigeminal Neuralgia-interventions
- Pain is priority.
- drug therapy first choice
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Trigeminal Neuralgia-nonsurgical management
- antiepileptic drugs: carbamazepine and gabapentin
- baclofen (muscle relaxer)
- lidocaine or calcitonin intranasal spray
- NOT EFFECTIVE: opioids and NSAIDs
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Trigeminal Neuralgia-surgical management
- percutaneous stereotactic rhizotomy (PSR):hollow needle thru cheek into trigeminal nerve, heat current destroys some of the fibers but NOT entire nerve
- balloon microcompression:balloon compresses trigeminal nerve
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