Five-year prospective outcomes of medical management and microvascular decompression in trigeminal neuralgia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Trigeminal neuralgia is a severe facial pain disorder with major impact on quality of life. Long-term prospective data comparing medical and surgical treatments remain scarce. This study compared 5-year outcomes of medical management and microvascular decompression (MVD) and explored predictors of treatment response.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study at a national referral center (2012-2019). Consecutive patients with classical or idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia underwent MRI, baseline assessment, and systematic 5-year follow-up. Treatment allocation (medical therapy or MVD) followed clinical evaluation and international guidelines. The primary outcome was categorized as pain-free without medication, pain-free with medication, continued

SUBMITTER: Worm J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12532645 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature