Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia means an intolerable, often drug-resistant pain in the face that can be induced by chewing or speech. In serious cases, patients suffering from this pain cannot eat, resulting in weight loss. If there is no evident reason for the trigeminal nerve irritation (e.g. tumor or microvascular compression of the nerve), nerve-destruction can be considered. In this case, a special injection into the trigeminal ganglia lying on the skull base destroys a part of the trigeminal nerve and the pain decreases. This operation helps the majority of patients, but facial numbness can appear after the operation.  Consultation with a specialist prior to operation is essential.