Trigeminal neuralgia: analysis of pain distribution and nerve involvement

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia [TN] has been a source of confusion for clinicians and remains a difficult condition to manage. The study was conducted on 50 patients to evaluate the area of pain distribution and involved nerve. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination and response of pain to carbamzepine. The branch of the nerve was identified and confirmed with 2% lignocain with adrenaline 1200,000 injection at the identified site and repeated three times on consecutive days. The age of patient's ranges from 21-79 years with a mean age 50 years. Males [60%] were affected more than female [40%] with ratio of 32. The right side was involved in 64% whereas left side in 36% of patients. The mandibular division was most commonly involved [n=30; 60%] followed by [n=17; 34%] and ophthalmic division [n=3;6%]. The most common site of nerve branch involved in descending order were inferior alveolar, infraorbital, long buccal and mental