Trigeminal Neuralgia at Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine is anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the only Illinois hospital on the national Honor Roll for 13 straight years. We specialize in challenging conditions, and our neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain management specialists are among the world’s leading experts.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition caused by a disorder of the fifth cranial nerve, known as the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, daily activities like shaving, brushing your teeth or putting on makeup can trigger excruciating pain in your face.
Trigeminal neuralgia can be a frustrating and often debilitating condition. Unfortunately, finding the right treatment can be difficult for some people with trigeminal neuralgia. Certain prescription drugs and surgical procedures can help reduce or eliminate the pain.
Meet the Teams
Treatments
- Balloon Compression
- Electrical Stimulation Of The Nerves
- Gamma Knife® Radiosurgery
- Glycerol Injection
- Local/ganglion nerve blocks
- Microvascular Decompression
- Percutaneous Rhizotomy
- Prescription Medications
- Radiofrequency Thermal Lesioning
Testing and Diagnosis
Many conditions can cause facial pain, but a specific diagnosis is important to determine an effective treatment plan for you. To determine if you have trigeminal neuralgia, your physician will consider your medical history and symptoms, and conduct physical and neurological exams.
- Blood Tests
- CT Scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Neurological Exam
- Physical Exam
Trigeminal Neuralgia Videos
Why Choose Northwestern Medicine
- Northwestern Medicine is anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the only Illinois hospital on the national Honor Roll for 13 straight years.
- When options are limited, our experienced team is often able to offer innovative therapies and novel treatments through a wide variety of clinical trials.