Trigeminal Nerve Infection

Trigeminal neuralgia is also known as tic douloureux, which affects the trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve) that carries the sensations from the face to the brain. Symptoms include repetitive bouts of lancinating pain lasting for a few seconds or less. It is usually unilateral and involves the second and third divisions of the nerve territory. Etiology is primarily idiopathic, but lesion or compression of the nerve are attributed. Medications like Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Amitriptyline, etc., have been found helpful in their treatment. Other options like decompression of the vascular loop, alcohol, or phenol injections in the peripheral branch of the nerve were also found effective.