SIGNIFICANCE OF TRIGGER POINT IN TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Abstract

Objective: To know the significance of trigger point as an indicator of aberrant vascular loop in patients

with trigeminal neuralgia.

Material and Methods: This study was performed in the department of neurosurgery Postgraduate

Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from May 2003 to April 2006. Patients with clinical

history of trigeminal neuralgia were admitted for micro vascular decompression. Detailed clinical history,

along with clinical findings particularly side and site of trigger point of trigeminal pain were documented.

Imaging studies like CT, MRI were done in these cases and per-operative findings were documented after

surgical procedure.

Results: Forty-three patients with trigeminal neuralgia were operated for micro vascular decompression

during the study period. There were 24 (55.8%) males and 19 (44.2%) females with ratio of 1.2: 1, and a

mean age of 53 years. Duration of symptoms was from 3 to 7 years. A total of 43 cases of trigeminal

neuralgia were recorded. Right side was involved in 19 and left side in 24 cases. Peri-oral and peri-nasal

trigger point was observed in 39 (90.7%) cases during examination while offending arterial loop was seen

in 35 (81.4%) cases per-operatively, thick arachnoid adhesion in 4 (9.3%) cases and veins in 4 (9.3%)

cases.

Conclusion: Trigger point during clinical examination indicated the presence of offending arterial loops

in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.