Can trigeminal neuralgia be cured completely?

Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Trigeminal neuralgia manifests as stubborn, intractable pain, but that does not mean we are helpless against it. The treatment of trigeminal neuralgia mainly involves the following aspects. Medication can only relieve symptoms and is not a cure. Radiofrequency ablation can destroy the trigeminal ganglion, but there is also a high probability of recurrence. The principle of Gamma Knife is somewhat similar to radiofrequency ablation, and the possibility of recurrence is also relatively high. Currently, the most effective treatment for a complete cure is surgical treatment, with about 80%-90% of patients with trigeminal neuralgia achieving complete eradication through treatments such as microvascular decompression surgery.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Is trigeminal neuralgia severe?

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most common, stubborn, and excruciatingly painful diseases, known by patients as the "world's most severe pain." The intensity of the pain during an episode can surpass even that of childbirth. When the pain is severe, patients dare not speak, eat, or sleep, causing immense suffering in their lives. In extreme cases, the unbearable pain leads to suicidal thoughts. Therefore, trigeminal neuralgia is also referred to as the "non-lethal cancer," a serious neurological disorder.

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Written by Li Pei
Neurosurgery
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What should I do if trigeminal neuralgia recurs?

After the recurrence of trigeminal neuralgia, oral medication can be considered as the initial treatment. If the effect of the medication is not clear, or the side effects are intolerable, then balloon compression or radiofrequency treatment can be considered. These two methods can be used repeatedly, but they also have a certain recurrence rate. If neither medication nor radiofrequency treatment achieves satisfactory results, then surgical treatment can be considered. Microvascular decompression surgery of the trigeminal nerve can be performed under a microscope, where the trigeminal nerve and the blood vessel compressing it are separated, which can fundamentally resolve trigeminal neuralgia. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Should people with trigeminal neuralgia avoid certain foods?

Patients with trigeminal neuralgia need to be cautious about their diet. In daily life, try to avoid oily, spicy, and irritating foods, as these types of foods may trigger an attack of trigeminal neuralgia or make the existing attacks more frequent, thereby causing great pain to the patient. It is recommended to choose a light diet in daily life, low in salt and fat, especially for patients with high blood pressure or diabetes, who need to be more cautious. It may be beneficial to appropriately include some fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet, and it is also suggested to supplement with some multivitamin drugs, which might enhance the effects. If trigeminal neuralgia attacks frequently, it is still recommended to visit a local hospital in a timely manner and consider undergoing microvascular decompression surgery for treatment.

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Written by Guo Zhi Fei
Neurosurgery
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Radical treatment method for trigeminal neuralgia

The fundamental cause of trigeminal neuralgia lies in the compression of the trigeminal nerve root by aberrant blood vessels around the area where it exits the brain stem. This compression leads to demyelination of the trigeminal nerve and causes a short circuit in the trigeminal nerve conduction pathway, resulting in trigeminal neuralgia. Currently, the only definitive cure for trigeminal neuralgia is microvascular decompression surgery. This surgery addresses the cause of trigeminal neuralgia by opening the skull, locating the trigeminal nerve and the compressing vessel, and placing a cushion between the nerve and the vessel to achieve a cure. This type of surgery is characterized by minimal trauma, preservation of nerve function, rapid recovery, and low complication rates, making it the best treatment for trigeminal neuralgia that can achieve a definitive cure.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Trigeminal neuralgia prodrome

Trigeminal neuralgia does not have very obvious precursors. This is because trigeminal neuralgia often occurs suddenly, especially with the concept of trigger points. That is to say, once the trigger point is activated, it immediately induces pain without any warning signs. Trigger points vary from person to person, usually located primarily on the cheek. Patients who frequently suffer from trigeminal neuralgia often know these areas. Typically, the pain occurs during activities like brushing teeth with cold water or chewing hard foods such as peanuts or walnuts, triggering severe pain instantly. Thus, in the case of trigeminal neuralgia, there are no precursors, only immediate triggers and immediate pain.