3 © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
G. P. Rath (ed.), Handbook of Trigeminal Neuralgia,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2333-1_1
R. Lamsal · G. P. Rath (*)
Department of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care Neurosciences Centre,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Introduction to Trigeminal Neuralgia
Ritesh Lamsal and Girija Prasad Rath
Key Points
• Since pre-historic times, there have been several descriptions of human
affliction from trigeminal neuralgia (TGN)
• Modern-day TGN therapy is the result of concerted effort invested in
understanding the pathophysiology and treatment outcomes over several
centuries
• Pharmacotherapy is the first line of management and microvascular
decompression has excellent results in surgically amenable lesions
• Chemoneurolysis, balloon microcompression, radiofrequency lesioning.
and stereotactic radiosurgery are other viable options with promising
results
Synonyms
• Tic Douloureux
• Trifacial neuralgia
• Fothergill’s disease or Fothergill neuralgia
• Prosopalgia or Prosoponeuralgia
• Suicide disease