Clinical efficacy of LLLT in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia – Case report

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a painful affliction of the face with frequent electric shock-like pain limited to the distribution of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. Several supportive treatment modalities such as medication and surgical therapy have been introduced to pain control in TN but the aim of this study was reporting the laser therapy as newest method. An ill 70 years-old woman was admitted in the dental faculty of Semnan University of Medical Science with the chief complaint of severe pain concomitant with prominent muscle in her one-third lower face and commissar of lips at right side since last six months ago. Patient`s history showed that pain has occurred with disability in speech, movement, and routine activities. During a review of systems, increased blood pressure was reported. laser therapy with diode laser 940 was chosen. During first week, symptoms were decreased to just mild tingling occasionally, and, complete pain relief after the second week was seen. No recurrence has occurred after one month follows up. Generally, treatment of neuralgia by surgical therapy and medication has obvious complications, but, LLLT Diode can be an excellent alternative for them due to its advantages.