The Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

Three therapeutic measures are considered effective in the treatment for tic douloureux; trichlorethglene inhalat,ions, alcohol injections, and section of the nerve. Trichlorethylene, a volatile dru, u which produces rather marked cerebral circulatory change, used at regular intervals as an inhalant has given some patients relief. Alcohol when injected gives temporary relief; it usually requires no hospitaliza,tion and is free from any mortality. Five per cent of the patients injected were not, relieved while the average period of relief in 156 injections was eleven months. When injections are repeated the period of relief becomes shorter, due to the accumulation of scar tissue about the nerve. Surgery is usually the final treatment, for patients who have had almost everything else therapeutically. The simplest operat,ion is the avulsion of the peripheral branches such as the supraorbital or infraorbital. The subntmtnl approach of Frazier was used in the majority of cases.