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Trigeminal neuralgia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Tic douloureux

Symptoms:

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

Signs and tests:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood tests may help rule out other conditions.

Central nervous system

Reviewed last on: 2/13/2008
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kanai A, Saito M, Hoka S. Subcutaneous sumatriptan for refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Headache. 2006;46(4):577-582.

Goetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007.

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