An elderly lady has regular pains on mouth and face area. It's severe, sharp and unilateral. It's usually triggered by chewing, speaking and brushing the teeth. She's no symptomatic relief with usual analgesics. What should be the treatment? 1. Gabapentin 2. Gasserian block 3.
Morphine 4. Carbamazepine Answer: Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve in the face. The trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the face to the brain. It's most common in women aged over 50. Medically it can be managed with carbamazepine. Gabapentin is also effective. Gangliolysis and alcohol injection of trigeminal nerve is very effective.
