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Trigeminal neuralgia occurs more often in women as compared to men and in older age people (50 years age or above) and occurs more on the right side than the left. It doesn’t usually run in the family.
Most of the patients get better with medications like carbamazepine, gabapentin, and similar agents. But over a period of time, the effect gradually wears off. When the medications fail, you have to consult a Neurosurgeon in Abu Dhabi who may offer one of the three types of further advanced management
There are several types of rhizotomies for trigeminal neuralgia, which are all-day care procedures performed under local anesthesia in the operating room. Rhizotomy provides relief to 70- 80% of the patients but there is a good chance of recurrence. It is a recommended surgical treatment for patients with this condition resulting from multiple sclerosis. It is a minimally invasive surgery and can be repeated safely, and pain can come back due to the progression of MS.
MVD is the most long-lasting trigeminal neuralgia treatment which is caused by blood vessel compression and helps about 80-90% of the patients diagnosed. It is suitable for people in good health who can tolerate the surgery and general anesthesia with a recovery period of one to two weeks.
Stereotactic radiosurgery also known as CyberKnife or gamma knife treatment surgery is another outpatient treatment done to treat this condition. A very concentrated beam of radiation is used on the trigeminal nerve to relieve pain and MRI and CT scan are done to locate the exact position of the trigeminal nerve. It is a painless surgery and is usually done without anesthesia.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic painful condition producing intermittent shooting facial pain. It is not continuous or aching pain. Usually, it responds to medicine initially. But when the first medicine fails to control the pain or if there are severe side effects from the medicines, you should consult a Neurosurgeon in Dubai. Your Neurosurgeon may offer several options for further treatment. There is a risk of recurrence for all the surgery procedures, but it is the least for microvascular decompression, which is usually the first choice of surgical management in fit people.
If you have been advised any of the surgical procedures and you are unsure whether to go ahead or not, please feel free to get a second opinion with trigeminal neuralgia surgeon.
Department of Neurosurgery - Zulekha Hospital, First Floor - Block B - 204th Rd, Al Nahda - Al Nahda 2 - Dubai