Trigeminal neuralgia
Alternative Names
Tic douloureuxSymptoms
- Very painful, sharp electric-like spasms that last a few seconds or minutes
- Pain is usually only on one side of the face, often around the eye, cheek, and lower part of the face
- Pain may be triggered by touch or sounds
- Pain occurs while:
- Brushing teeth
- Chewing
- Drinking
- Eating
- Shaving
Exams and Tests
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood tests may help rule out other conditions.
References
Kanai A, Saito M, Hoka S. Subcutaneous sumatriptan for refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Headache. 2006 Apr;46(4):577-82.
Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007.
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