THE JOURNAL OF THE TOKYO DENTAL COLLEGE SOCIETY

Vol. 108 No. 4      August 2008

ISSN: 0037-3710      UBIC: 342-J

ABSTRACT

We reviewed clinical data from a total of 138 trigeminal neuralgia patients treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital. In 10 patients, MRI scan revealed a brain tumor or a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, which was recognized as the cause of the trigeminal neuralgia. The remaining patients were treated with Tegretol®, and side effects necessitating discontinuation of the drug occurred in six patients, including two with severe adverse reactions that required inpatient treatment. When Tegretol® therapy was not applicable or proved to be less effective, the patients underwent surgical therapy or gamma knife radiosurgery. Since no symptom can predict the presence of a tumor, brain MRI is considered to be essential for all patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Although Tegretol® is effective in the treatment of neuralgia, the occurrence of side effects should be carefully monitored during therapy. Considering that 116 patients (84%) were referred by oral-dental surgeons, trigeminal neuralgia is likely to be a disorder commonly encountered by these specialists, thereby indicating the importance of medical cooperation between neurosurgeons and oral-dental surgeons. (The Shikwa Gakuho, 108 : 362-367, 2008) Key words: Trigeminal neuralgia, gamma knife, brain tumor surgery

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