Trigeminal neuralgia is not a single disease. According to the ICHD-3 classification, several subtypes are recognized based on the cause, pattern, and characteristics of pain.
Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnosis requires recurrent unilateral facial pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve that lasts from a fraction of a second to two minutes, is severe and electric shock-like, may be triggered by harmless stimuli, and cannot be better explained by another disorder.
ICHD-3 Classification
Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Purely paroxysmal pain.
- Paroxysmal pain with continuous pain between attacks.
Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia
Associated with multiple sclerosis, tumors, cysts, vascular malformations, trauma, or other underlying disorders.
Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia
No identifiable cause despite appropriate evaluation.
Painful Trigeminal Neuropathy
Includes post-herpetic neuropathy, post-traumatic neuropathy, neuropathy related to systemic disease, and idiopathic painful trigeminal neuropathy.
Accurate classification helps guide investigations, treatment, and prognosis.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.