summary: In a study of people with MS-related trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a specific treatment for TN called hypothalamic stimulation (HS). Existing treatments for TN are pharmaceutical (which are often insufficient), and surgical (whose potential local adverse events derived from the physical disruption of the affected nerve are not negligible). Although this is a small study with only five people, the authors found that the HS was effective for people that have TN in the first branch (i.e. ophthalmic branch) of the trigeminal nerve. Therefore, they conclude that HS should be considered as a therapeutic option especially for those with an ophthalmic branch TN, taking into account that the local adverse events occurring after surgery may be especially serious when the first branch is involved.

authors: Cordella R, Franzini A, La Mantia L, Marras C, Erbetta A, Broggi G

source: Mult Scler. 2009 Oct 7

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category: Symptomatic Treatments and Rehabilitation

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