Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition that causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like face pain. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally debilitating.

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a hidden disease, often mistaken for other things, such as dental issues, so in most cases, the first and most difficult step is to seek help and find the right diagnosis. TN is a progressive disease during which the pain will increase and become more debilitating.

Treatment

Saint Thomas Hospital has treated more cases of trigimenal neuralgia than any other hospital in Tennessee. Following diagnosis, we first attempt to treat our patients with medications before considering surgery.

Many patients are elderly or may have other diseases, such as MS or high blood pressure, which don't respond well to standard medications.

For patients who do not respond well to medication or are not candidate for standard surgery, we offer more advanced procedures. In 2003, Saint Thomas Health began treating many of our trigimenal neuralgia patients with radiosurgery through the Novalis linear accelerator. Through this process, the vessels that are causing the pain are burned. The process is pain-free and extremely exact, damaging only the "bad" vessels.

Today, many of our patients are using this method with an 80 to 85 percent success rate. Although the results are not instant - they are impactful.  

Our Team

Neurologists, radiosurgeons and neurosurgeons all work together in a multidisciplinary team approach to treat our trigimenal neuralgia patients. The approach between this team is collaborative which  allows the patient to see different doctors on the same day.  The departments and physicians also work together to find the best solution for their patients.

Once a week, the group meets to speak about Saint Thomas's trigeminal neuralgia patients and to develop the best plan of action and follow up for each patient.