Is there any new research or technology for trigeminal neuralgia that we should be aware of?

Doctor's Answers 1

There are more types of medication that are always promoted for Neuralgia. Eventually, most of the patients become numb to them and they have to take increasing doses with side effects. So, there are some limits medication can offer. As it worsens, patients find themselves on 2-3 medications, which I personally feel is very unsatisfactory because we just keep adding medication.

In terms of surgical treatment, it has become safer and safer. Our technique has become more minimally invasive, so the surgical opening is becoming smaller and smaller with the use of advanced endoscopes and microscopes that allow us to do this in a minimally invasive way. So most of these patients go home within 2 days of their surgery.

In terms of radiation treatment, some of the machines have become more sophisticated and we are able to do it with greater precision and increasing efficacy.

Similar Questions

Is Trigeminal Neuralgia life-threatening?

It is not a life-threatening disease. There are a few cases where it drives patients to suicide but that is quite rare. Normally we give them treatment before that, and the treatment is effective now, so no one should really commit suicide because of Trigeminal Neuralgia. So in summary: It is not life-threatening, but it is really disabling as a disease.

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Answered By

Dr Nicolas Kon

Neurosurgeon

Why is Trigeminal Neuralgia called “suicide disease”?

It is due to the nature and severity of the pain. The pain experienced by the patients is sometimes severe and it drives them to suicide. That is how this nickname is derived.

Photo of Dr Nicolas Kon

Answered By

Dr Nicolas Kon

Neurosurgeon

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