The treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

The etiology of trigeminal neuralgia has yet to be elucidated. Thus it is not surprising that no ideal treatment is currently available. The current treatment of choice is medical; Pharmacologic management should be tried to its fullest extent. Increasing dosages and using combination drug therapies are recommended before considering a surgical approach. If drug therapy does not alleviate the pain, a surgical approach may be indicated, although 100% effectivity is not expected. Until the true etiology of trigeminal neuralgia is established, controversy will remain in the treatment of this complex disorder.