Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia with Radiofrequency

What is the Trigeminal Nerve?

The trigeminal nerve is one of the most important sensory nerves of the face. It is called trigeminal because it splits into three branches:

            •           Ophthalmic branch

            •           Maxillary branch

            •           Mandibular branch

This nerve is supplied by a nerve nucleus known as the Gasserian ganglion, which is responsible for transmitting nerve signals to the trigeminal nerve.

What Does Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain Feel Like?

Trigeminal neuralgia presents as severe facial pain, often accompanied by electric shock-like sensations lasting up to two minutes. This intense pain can be unbearable for many patients. The pain usually occurs on one side of the face, affecting either the ophthalmic, maxillary, or mandibular branches. In most cases, patients experience pain across all three branches.

What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Some triggers for the neural nucleus that lead to this pain include:

            •           Pressure from a blood vessel (vein or artery) on the trigeminal nerve nucleus

            •           Inflammation of the nerve nucleus

            •           Multiple sclerosis (MS)

            •           Genetic predisposition

How Is the Cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia Diagnosed?

Dr. Mohamed Koura diagnoses trigeminal neuralgia through a series of questions posed to the patient to confirm if they truly suffer from this condition. This is followed by an MRI scan of the brain and face to verify the diagnosis and identify the underlying cause of the nerve stimulation.

How Is Trigeminal Neuralgia Treated?

Trigeminal neuralgia can be treated through various methods. The most common treatment is surgical intervention, which involves an open facial surgery to isolate the nerve. This is one of the most complex procedures performed by neurosurgeons. However, Dr. Mohamed Koura specializes in treating trigeminal neuralgia using a non-surgical, safe, easy, and effective approach called radiofrequency.

What Is Radiofrequency for Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Dr. Mohamed Koura performs radiofrequency treatment by inserting a thin needle through the face to reach the trigeminal nerve nucleus under the guidance of an interventional radiology device. A radiofrequency cable is then passed through this needle and connected to a radiofrequency generator. This device emits electromagnetic waves that inhibit the nerve nucleus, reducing its sensitivity and preventing pain from recurring.