Trigeminal Neuralgia Like a Knife Cut! Image Fusion-Guided Nerve Ablation Effectively Blocks Pain

A 66-year-old man, who had previously suffered from polio, found his life drastically altered by severe facial pain diagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia. The pain, initially mistaken for a toothache after dental treatment, escalated to excruciating levels, causing him to feel as though his face was being electrocuted or cut by a knife. The condition severely impacted his daily life, leading to intense suffering and even thoughts of self-harm.

After conventional treatments, including anti-epileptic drugs, failed to provide relief, doctors at Tungs' Grand Hospital recommended an invasive surgical procedure. Dr. Chen Shu-yi from the hospital's neurology department explained that trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by infections or physical trauma, causing nerve misfiring that results in debilitating pain. The condition can also lead to depression and anxiety.

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The pain in his right cheek is completely gone after the treatment. He only feels slight pain in his right gum when eating, and his quality of life has greatly improved.

Dr. Li Cheng-chun, head of radiology at the hospital, performed an "image fusion-guided nerve ablation surgery." This advanced technique involved overlapping pre-operative CT scans with intra-operative ultrasound images to precisely locate the affected nerve. Using this guidance, a needle was inserted to the pain point and radiofrequency ablation was used to block the pain signals. The surgery was highly successful, completely alleviating the pain in the man's right cheek. While he experiences slight discomfort when eating, his overall quality of life has dramatically improved.

Doctors emphasize that trigeminal neuralgia often presents without warning and can be misdiagnosed as dental pain. They urge individuals experiencing sudden, intense facial pain, described as electric shocks or knife-like sensations lasting seconds to minutes, to seek immediate medical attention from a neurologist or pain management specialist.

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If your face experiences strong pain like electric shocks or knife cuts lasting about a few seconds to several minutes, you should seek medical attention at a neurology or pain management clinic.