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May 25, 2013
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Trigeminal Neuralgia (Facial Nerve Pain) (cont.)

Medical Author:
Edward Lubin, MD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
James Ungar, MD

Exams and Tests

  • Your doctor must rule out a variety of other causes of facial pain besides trigeminal neuralgia, including various unusual forms of headache.

    • Atypical neuralgia

    • Myofascial pain

    • Temporomandibular facial pain

    • Cluster headaches

    • Local disease in the sinuses, jaw, throat, and bones of your head

  • Physical examination of the head will help define other possible causes of this painful syndrome. Physical findings in people with trigeminal neuralgia are normal.

  • A doctor should complete an initial neurological examination to determine the presence of other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, that are associated with nerve pain syndromes like trigeminal neuralgia.

  • Doctors reserve more extensive testing, such as a CT scan or MRI of the head, for people in whom they suspect an associated condition, such as skull or brain tumor, infection, or neurological condition.

Must Read Articles Related to Trigeminal Neuralgia (Facial Nerve Pain)

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Chronic Pain Chronic pain is pain that persists for a period of six months or longer, and is the result of a long-standing medical condition(s) or damage to the body. Common...learn more >>
CT Scan (CAT Scan, Computerized Axial Tomography)
CT Scan History CT was discovered independently by a British engineer named Sir Godfrey Hounsfield and Dr. Alan Cormack. It has become a mainstay for diagnosing med...learn more >>
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
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Trigeminal Neuralgia (Facial Nerve Pain) - Treatment

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Trigeminal Neuralgia (Facial Nerve Pain) - Symptoms

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Trigeminal Neuralgia »

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a common and potentially disabling pain syndrome, the precise pathophysiology of which remains obscure.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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