Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neurological syndrome characterized by unilateral face pain with a sudden onset. Pain attacks usually are stereotype, tend to occur suddenly and may be provoked by mimic, chewing or teeth brushing. TN is usually described as "bolt struck" or "electrical shock" sensation. Compression of the trigeminal nerve root near the brain stem is believed to produce TN. Giving that in 95% of cases the compression is implemented by artery of vein, the main treatment option for TN is microvascular decompression.In 5% of cases TN is associated with tumor (e.g. meningioma, acoustic schwannoma, dermoid) of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Traditionally the presence of tumor has been recognized as a main cause of trigeminal nerve compression. According to our experience, in some cases TN may be produced by the coexistence of tumor compression and the neurovascular conflict.
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