Trigeminal Neuralgia Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia is made clinically. In most cases the very description offered by the patients is diagnostic. There is no specific investigation or tests to diagnose Trigeminal Neuralgia. CT scan or an MRI is conducted only if some other pathology (tumor or multiple sclerosis) is suspected in the facial or brain areas which may have presented a confusing clinical picture. However, as a rule, every patient with TN may be suggested to get an MRI done to rule out any hidden tumor. It may also be noted that an MRI might suggest a blood vessel touching the Trigeminal nerve, as a cause for TN. However, it may be noted that all patients who have some blood vessel touching the Trigeminal nerve may not develop this disease.

At times, Trigeminal Neuralgia resembles certain other clinical conditions which have to be ruled out to establish the diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia. The conditions which may present with symptoms similar to Trigeminal Neuralgia are sinusitis, migraine headache, dental cavities, other forms of neuritis.