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Trigeminal Neuralgia

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Gamma Knife Neurosurgery

Abstract

Writing a chapter on one particular treatment for the condition known as trigeminal neuralgia is one of the more daunting tasks for the author of a book such as this. There are few conditions for which there are so many different treatment options and so much disagreement amongst experts as to the optimal treatment and treatment sequence in a given case. As is usual in such situations, this disagreement reflects the complexity of the condition and its frequent resistance to treatment. Thus, because of this complexity more detail than usual of the various areas of knowledge and ignorance, of theory and practice need to be outlined if the reader is to be able to find his/her way through the labyrinth of available information. Let us begin with a consideration of the definition of this clinical condition, where the diagnosis is almost wholly dependent on what the patient says. The definitions below are quoted from the “Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society: The International classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgia and facial pain. Ed 2” [1]. The first unquestionable description of the disease is attributed to Nicolaus André in 1756 [2]. He coined the phrase “tic douloureux” to describe the muscular twitches associated with the lightning like attacks of pain.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    There is evidence from Pittsburgh that ultra thorough clinical examination and neurophysiological examinations can demonstrate consistent abnormalities in these patients, despite the above definition [3].

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    Dr. Jeremy C. Ganz

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Ganz, J.C. (2011). Trigeminal Neuralgia. In: Gamma Knife Neurosurgery. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0343-2_20

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