Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment in Israel

Symptoms & Causes

Trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux) is an inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, which is the cranial nerve responsible for facial sensations and chewing. It is an extremely debilitating condition, characterized by episodes abnormally strong facial pain that can occur as frequently as every few seconds. Our trigeminal neuralgia treatment in Israel program is designed to provide pain relief and restore your quality of life.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment Methods

There are two ways to treat neuralgia. First, a radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the trigeminal (Gasser’s) ganglion is performed. Gasser’s ganglion is a sensory ganglion of the trigeminal nerve. If the procedure does not remove the symptoms, a microvascular decompression is indicated.

The condition has multiple known causes, including nerve compression by a blood vessel, viral infections, inflammatory processes and the presence of a tumour. It is almost always associated with demyelination, which causes heat and taste signals to be transmitted through nerve fibers that carry pain signals. Additionally, before trigeminal neuralgia treatment is started a mechanical reason for the symptoms (i.e. compression caused by a tumour) needs to be ruled out.

Diagnosis

Your workup will start with a trigeminal nerve MRI (with Gadolinium), which will be followed by a neurologist exam. If the investigation shows that the symptoms are not related to a brain anomaly, you will be referred to a pain clinic for an RF ablation procedure under local anesthesia. You will be able to go home 2 hours after its completion and will need to remain in Israel for 2-3 days following the procedure. The pain will subside gradually, and you can expect to be completely pain free within 2 to 4 weeks. You will be prescribed painkillers during this period.

Treatment cost is comprised of the following:

• Extensive blood workup (including CBC, CMP, electrolyte levels, coagulation factors and lipid profile)
• Brain MRI scan (trigeminal neuralgia protocol)
• Neurologist consultation
• Pain clinic physician consultation and RF procedure.