Trigeminal neuralgia (TN): A descriptive literature analysis on the diagnosis and management modalities.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this review is to explore the different aspects of the diagnosis and management of Trigeminal neuralgia (TN). We look at the role of radiological imaging in the work-up of this condition, and based on the findings in the literature, we report data on the medical and surgical management of TN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane search engines in order to explore the data available on the diagnosis and management of TN. Clinical features and various treatment modalities were analyzed by the authors. The identified studies were evaluated and data was reported on the different aspects of the condition in order to provide an evidence-based update on the topic. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of TN is based on the patient's clinical history and radiological imaging. The commonest cause of TN is a micro-vascular compression by a looping blood vessel. Radiological evaluation is critical in the work-up of the disorder and in order to eliminate other possible causes. Management of the disorder can be medical or surgical, with micro-vascular decompression having the highest remission rate. CONCLUSION: Patients with TN present paroxysmal pain attacks in the territories innervated by the trigeminal nerve. Diagnostic investigations must allow precise anatomical evaluation of the CPA, and MR imaging is the gold-standard radiological investigation for this purpose. Management of TN can be medical or surgical, with micro-vascular decompression having the highest success rate.

Conservative treatment of vestibular schwannoma: growth and Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life scale in French language.

The aim of this study was to determine the natural history of growth and quality of life (QoL) outcomes for vestibular schwannoma (VS) managed conservatively, and to validate the disease-specific Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality-of-Life (PANQOL) scale in French language. We retrospectively studied 26 patients with VS managed conservatively. Patient characteristics and radiological findings were collected. Two scales were used to measure QoL: the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the PANQOL scale translated into French. Internal consistency and scores were compared with previous studies. The mean follow-up was 25 months (range 6-72). We observed tumour growth in 14 patients (53.8%), no growth in 12 patients (46.2%) and no case of tumour shrinkage. The mean tumour growth was 2.22 mm/year. No predictive factor of growth was found. Patients with vertigo or dizziness experienced a poorer QoL according to the SF-36 (Social Functioning and Emotional Role Limitation dimensions) and to the PANQOL scale (Balance and Energy dimensions). Our results were comparable with the literature using the SF-36. With the PANQOL scale, our scores were not statistically different with those from Dutch and North American studies except in the field of hearing (p = 0.019). Quality of life becomes essential in the management of VS. According to these results, we support a non-conservative strategy associated with vestibular rehabilitation for patients with dizziness or vertigo. The PANQOL is a validated specific scale for VS, which can be useful in French.