Trigeminal neuralgia: assessment and management by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United Kingdom

We aimed to find out how oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United Kingdom currently assess and manage patients with suspected trigeminal neuralgia, and compared this with best practice. We undertook a postal survey of 297 consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the UK (of whom 178 (60%) replied) asking questions about examinations and routine investigations of new patients with symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, and their subsequent management.Clinical examination including cranial nerve function was made by almost all respondents (92%). Magnetic resonance imaging gives the most helpful diagnostic information and was requested by most surgeons (55%).Current publications have suggested that medical management of trigeminal neuralgia is appropriate for most patients, and this was reflected in current practice. Most surgeons (93%) used carbamazepine as their first choice of drug.