Trigeminal Neuralgia

Overview

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterised by sudden, electric-shock facial pain that lasts seconds to minutes and can strike hundreds of times a day. Even gentle touch, speaking or a cool breeze may trigger an attack, making eating, brushing teeth and social contact distressing.

At The New Foscote Hospital, Banbury you receive swift consultant-led assessment, on-site 3 T MRI scanning to rule out secondary causes, optimised medications and minimally invasive pain procedures delivered by our specialist team.

Why Early Treatment Matters

• Reduces fear-avoidance of eating and washing
• Prevents weight loss, depression and social isolation
• Allows medication titration before pain escalates
• Identifies rare structural causes such as tumours or multiple sclerosis plaques

Key Symptoms

• Sudden, stabbing or electric-shock pain on one side of the face
• Attacks lasting from a split second up to two minutes
• Pain triggered by light touch, chewing, talking, shaving or cold air
• Pain-free intervals between flurries of attacks
• Typically affects the cheek, jaw, teeth or gums; sometimes the eye and forehead

Common Causes And Risk Factors

• Compression of the trigeminal nerve by a looping blood vessel near the brainstem
• Multiple sclerosis plaques where the nerve enters the brainstem
• Tumours or cysts pressing on the nerve (rare)
• Age over fifty; women slightly more affected
• Family history in a small minority of cases

When To Seek Medical Advice

Phone 01295 252 281 if you experience:

• Recurrent facial pain triggered by light touch or routine activities
• Pain that wakes you from sleep or fails to respond to ordinary painkillers
• New facial numbness, double vision or weakness alongside shocks

Any sudden severe facial pain with drooping of the mouth or eye warrants emergency assessment to exclude stroke.

How We Diagnose And Monitor Trigeminal Neuralgia

1. Consultant Neurology Consultation – full pain history, trigger mapping and focused cranial-nerve examination.
2. On-Site 3 T MRI Brain – high-resolution imaging in the Imaging Centre to detect vascular compression, multiple-sclerosis plaques or tumours.
3. Dental And ENT Liaison – arranged swiftly if tooth or sinus disease is suspected.
4. Multidisciplinary Review – neurologist, neuroradiologist and pain-management specialist create a personalised plan.
5. Annual or Biannual Follow-Up – evaluates medication effectiveness and considers procedural options.

Treatment And Pain-Relief Options

• First-Line Medication – carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, started at low dose and titrated for pain control with monitoring of sodium and liver tests.
• Alternative Drugs – lamotrigine, gabapentin or pregabalin if first-line drugs cause side effects.
• Short Steroid Course – occasionally used during severe flare-ups.
• Botulinum Toxin Injections – offered in our Pain-Management Suite for patients who cannot tolerate tablets.
• Percutaneous Procedures – glycerol rhizolysis, radiofrequency thermocoagulation or balloon compression, performed under sedation at our partner surgical centre with follow-up care back in Banbury.
• Microvascular Decompression Referral – rapid referral to a regional neurosurgical unit when MRI shows clear vascular conflict and medication fails.
• Lifestyle And Trigger Management – gentle skincare routines, diet advice for easier chewing and stress-reduction techniques.

Why Choose The New Foscote Hospital

• Consultant neurologist appointments usually within one week
• State-of-the-art 3 T MRI on site for fast, detailed imaging
• Close collaboration between neurology and pain-management specialists for blended care
• Comfortable day-case suite for botulinum injections and nerve-root blocks
• Flexible outpatient schedules, including evening clinics
• Free parking and easy access from Oxford, Warwick and Northampton

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Ordinary Painkillers Help?
Standard anti-inflammatories and opioids rarely work. Anti-seizure medications that calm nerve firing are far more effective.

Does Surgery Cure The Condition?
Microvascular decompression can provide long-term relief in many suitable patients, but involves a small skull opening. We discuss all risks and arrange surgery only when medications and less invasive procedures have failed.

Can I Still Visit The Dentist?
Yes, but tell your dentist about your condition so gentle techniques and numbing gels can reduce triggers. Good oral hygiene remains essential.

Reclaim A Pain-Free Smile

Call 01295 252 281 or enquire online to arrange your trigeminal-neuralgia assessment and personalised pain-relief plan.