trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a condition characterized by sudden, severe, and recurrent attacks of pain along the trigeminal nerve, which is located in the skull in front of the ear. This pain is typically felt in the jaw or cheek and can be triggered by simple actions like talking, eating, or exposure to cold. While the exact cause is unknown, pathological changes in nerve tissue are not found.1

The condition most commonly affects individuals over 50 and is more prevalent in women. In the early stages, pain attacks are brief, but they can become more frequent and longer-lasting as the disease progresses. Treatments include anticonvulsant medications, and in severe cases, surgery to decompress or sever the sensory root of the trigeminal nerve may be considered.12