Two reports for Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia in Multiple Sclerosis
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Medical Update Memo
October 20, 2009
Summary
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN, a severe and disabling pain disorder) can appear in people with MS in a higher percentage than in the general population. Pharmaceutical treatment for this is not always satisfactory, and surgical treatment carries the potential for local adverse events derived from the physical disruption of the affected nerve.
Details
Gamma knife radiosurgery for multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia
The authors aimed to evaluate the long term outcome of 37 people with MS with TN who received a specific surgical treatment called gamma knife. Because of the reasonable pain control and the low morbidity associated with the treatment, the authors suggest that gamma knife could be a therapeutic option for MS-related trigeminal neuralgia. Neurology. 2009 Oct 6;73(14):1149-54
Hypothalamic stimulation for trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis patients: efficacy on the paroxysmal ophthalmic pain
In a study of people with MS-related trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a specific treatment for TN called hypothalamic stimulation (HS). Although this is a small study with only five people, the authors found that the HS was effective for people that have TN in the first branch (i.e. ophthalmic branch) of the trigeminal nerve. Therefore, they conclude that HS should be considered as a therapeutic option especially for those with an ophthalmic branch TN, taking into account that the local adverse events occurring after surgery may be especially serious when the first branch is involved. Mult Scler. 2009 Oct 7.
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Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy,
but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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