Trigeminal neuralgia is a clinical syndrome characterised by episodes of unilateral sharp, lancinating pain triggered by non-noxious stimuli and occurring along the distribution of one or more divisions of fifth cranial nerve. It usually lasts for a few moments and typically has periods of remissions and exacerbations. Although well known to physicians centuries ago, it could be localised to disease of the trigeminal nerve only in the eighteenth century. Drugs such as carbamazepine form the mainstay of treatment. Surgery is offered in cases refractory to medical treatment. Other alternative modalities include radiosurgery and percutaneous techniques.
