Trigeminal neuralgia: a personal review and nursing implications.

The facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, has been described as the most excruciating pain known to man. The etiology of this disease is unknown, although some contributing factors have been identified. Medical treatment includes carbamazepine and other medications. Surgical options are microvascular decompression, percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy, balloon gangliolysis and temporary nerve lesions.