MRI as an essential diagnostic approach for trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a well recognised disorder frequently reported to the dentist. The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is primarily based on history and clinical criteria. The clinical findings do not differentiate idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia from symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia. We describe a case of cliviopetrosal meningioma presenting as trigeminal neuralgia and discuss the importance of magnetic resonance imaging as an essential diagnostic approach when trigeminal neuralgia occurs concurrently with a brain tumour.