Trigeminal neuralgia complicating a syndromic craniosynostosis treated with acupuncture: a case report

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is the most common cranial neuralgia, defined as sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing, recurrent episodes of pain in the distribution of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve; some patients experience also a degree of dull, burning, or tingling pain between attacks. TN may have a significant impact upon quality of life due to the associated depres sion and anxiety. TN's pain is generally managed with medical therapy alone, carbamazepine being the first-line medica tion. Pfeiffer syndrome is a rare inherited disorder associated with primary craniosynostosis, midface hypoplasia and other anatomical abnormalities. Acupuncture is a valid therapeutic option for painful conditions, including neuralgias. Hereby, we describe remission from trigeminal neuralgiarelated pain in a 37years old man with Pfeiffer Syndrome, after acupuncture.

Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia

“…Severe attacks may cause an inability to speak or eat. 1 The estimated annual incidence of TN is 12.6/100,000 persons/year and its incidence increases with age. TN was more prevalent (52.4%) in rural population than urban population (47.6%).…”