Trigeminal Neuralgia: Which Medical Department Should You Visit?

Trigeminal neuralgia can be managed by several different medical specialties, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Below is a detailed overview of the most relevant departments and their roles in diagnosis and treatment.

Neurology Department

Primary trigeminal neuralgia, which has no known cause, is often associated with demyelination of the trigeminal nerve. In such cases, patients are typically referred to a neurologist. Neurologists manage the condition using medications such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, and pregabalin, which help control nerve-related pain. This is usually the first line of treatment and is effective for many patients.

Pain Management Clinic

For patients with refractory or chronic pain that does not respond well to medication, a pain management specialist may offer alternative treatments. These can include procedures like radiofrequency ablation, glycerol injections, or alcohol nerve blocks. These interventions aim to disrupt the pain signals sent by the affected nerve, offering relief for extended periods.

Common Procedures in Pain Clinics:

• Radiofrequency thermal lesioning
• Percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy
• Alcohol or phenol injections

Neurosurgery and Oncology Departments

If the trigeminal neuralgia is secondary to another condition, such as a tumor compressing the nerve or multiple sclerosis, a neurosurgeon or oncologist may need to be involved. In such cases, surgical options like microvascular decompression or tumor removal may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerve and reduce pain.

Severe cases may require advanced surgical techniques, and a multidisciplinary approach involving neurosurgeons, radiologists, and pain specialists is often used to ensure the best outcome for the patient.