Clinical characteristics and review of current treatment methods for trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most painful conditions a person can experience. Depending on the aetiology, 3 types of neuralgia can be distinguished: classic, secondary, and idiopathic. It can be a challenge in palliative care, especially in patients with multiple sclerosis, in whom secondary neuralgia is relatively common. It is most often manifested by sudden attacks of unilateral facial pain, occurring many times a day. The pain is so intense that it interferes with everyday functioning, including eating. Both pharmacological and surgical methods are used to relieve pain. Carbamazepine and oxcarbamazepine are indicated as first-line drugs, while second-line drugs include lamotrigine, baclofen, pregabalin, gabapentin, phenytoin, and botulinum toxin A. Nevertheless, due to the frequent lack of response to standard treatment and a significant decrease in quality of life, it is often a therapeutic problem; therefore, the search for new methods of treatment is necessary.