History of Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Discussion of How the Understanding of Pathophysiology Guided Treatment

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating facial pain disorder with a rich history dating back over a thousand years. From early records of cases with suggestive features, to better descriptions of its symptomatology, to today's well-established diagnostic criteria, TN has evolved from a largely enigmatic condition to a now manageable disease. Paralleling our understanding of its pathophysiology, various therapeutic approaches have been developed, ranging from early medicines alleviating pain, to destructive procedures targeting the trigeminal nerve, to restorative surgery treating the source. As the pathology of TN becomes better understood, more effective strategies can be used to manage this condition. This chapter provides an overview demonstrating the parallel between understanding of the pathophysiology and the corresponding treatments that were developed over the years.