How trigeminal neuralgia presents
Sudden severe facial pain, often lower face or cheek, triggered by chewing, speaking, brushing or wind. Brief episodes may cluster with pain-free intervals initially; pain is unilateral, stabbing or electric, lasting seconds to minutes.
- Unilateral stabbing/electric facial pain
- Triggers: chewing, speaking, brushing, wind
- Brief episodes, may cluster
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Evaluation
Clinical history plus neurologic exam; MRI may be considered to exclude secondary causes, especially with continuous pain or neurological deficits. Vascular compression is a common association, but not the only cause.