Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve
If the trigeminal nerve is inflamed, the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia also occur. The inflammation can be caused by multiple sclerosis.
Pain (trigeminal neuralgia)
The pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia is one of the strongest known pains. Typically, the pain is sudden and stabbing. The pain can also be triggered by exerting pressure on the trigeminal pressure points.
Trigeminal pressure points are the points where the individual trigeminal branches emerge from the skull.In total, there are three pressure points on each side of the face. These are located approximately in a line above the eye (supraorbital foramen), below the eye (infraorbital foramen) and on the chin (mental foramen). Under normal circumstances, no pain should be felt when slight pressure is applied to these points. However, in certain clinical pictures, such as trigeminal neuralgia, patients complain of severe pain at certain pressure points. Also in the case of increased intracranial pressure, meningitis and sinusitis, there is a strong sensation of pain when the pressure points are checked.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool in the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. Possible causes can be identified, such as a brain tumor, vascular malformations or a past stroke. Even indications of multiple sclerosis can be detected on the images.
