Peripheral nerve blocks for acute trigeminal neuralgia involving maxillary and mandibular branches: a case report

• Published in: Journal of dental anesthesia and pain medicine: JDAPM Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 357 - 362
• Main Authors: Aranha, Ricardo Luiz de Barreto, Resende, Renata Gonçalves, de Souza, Fernando Antônio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한치과마취과학회 01.12.2023
• Subjects: 치의학; Neuropathic Pain; Trigeminal Nerve; Facial Pain; Local Anesthesia; Trigeminal Neuralgia
• ISSN: 2383-9309; 2383-9317
• DOI: 10.17245/jdapm.2023.23.6.357

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is neuropathic pain that affects the trigeminal nerve branches. Facial pain experienced by patients with TN is typically intense and excruciating. The second and third branches (maxillary and mandibular) are commonly affected. This case report focuses on the potential treatment options for acute TN attacks involving these branches. The proposed approach involves extra-oral peripheral blocks using local anesthetics. Pain levels were measured using a visual numeric scale (VNS) with potential side effects and other relevant documented information. The patients showed responses from high pain levels to almost complete remission (from 8 to 2 and from 10 to 2 on the final VNS), with no significant side effects. This technique provides immediate pain relief and complements oral medications by offering comfort and confidence until the desired drug effect is achieved.