Trigeminal Neuralgia: A 'Lightning Bolt' of Pain

摘要

Trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) is a sudden onset, short-duration, yet debilitating neuropathic pain arising from the compression of the fifth cranial nerve, precipitated by daily activities such as chewing and speaking. This chronic condition is most common in older females, affecting up to 27 per 100,000 individuals worldwide. The first-line pharmacologic treatment for TGN is the anticonvulsant carbamazepine, with oxcarbazepine utilized for its similar mechanism but milder adverse-effect profile. Second-line drug therapies (baclofen, lamotrigine) are considered useful adjuncts, with less-well-studied medications or surgery reserved if standard treatment alone is ineffective or not tolerated by the patient.