Trigeminal neuralgia (TN): clinical features

Evidence-based neurology checklist on trigeminal neuralgia (tn): clinical features: Pain features TN is a sharp shooting or stabbing electric-like pain It is stimulus-evoked in most cases It has a rapid onset and termination It is moderate to severe in intensity It typically lasts 1-60 seconds It…

Pain features

  • TN is a sharp shooting or stabbing electric-like pain
  • It is stimulus-evoked in most cases
  • It has a rapid onset and termination
  • It is moderate to severe in intensity
  • It typically lasts 1-60 seconds
  • It is relieved by keeping still
  • It may be a mild ache lasting up to 30 minutes in atypical cases
  • There may be a concomitant continuous pain
  • There are no associated autonomic symptoms

Classification

Triggers

Trigger zones

Other features

References

  1. Cruccu G, Finnerup NB, Jensen TS, et al. Trigeminal neuralgia: new classification and diagnostic grading for practice and research. Neurology 2016; 87:220-228. 
  2. Zakrzewska JM, McMillan R. Trigeminal neuralgia: the diagnosis and management of this excruciating and poorly understood facial pain. Postgrad Med J 2011; 87:410-416.
  3. Di Stefano G, De Stefano G, Leone C, et al. Concomitant continuous pain in patients with trigeminal neuralgia is associated with trigeminal nerve root atrophy. Cephalalgia 2020; 40:1502-1510. 
  4. Chong MS, Bahra A, Zakrzewska JM. Guidelines for the management of trigeminal neuralgia. Cleve Clin J Med 2023; 90:355-362.
  5. Jackson MJ, Jackson PB. Trigeminal neurotrophic ulcerations: an unusual manifestation of trigeminal neuralgia. J Mass Dent Soc 2011 Winter; 59:23-26.
  6. And 1 more. Subscribe to see the full list

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