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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
Trigeminal neuralgia in young adults
Diaa Bahgat1, Dibyendu K Ray, Ahmed M Raslan
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
Journal of Neurosurgery
|December 7, 2010
Summary
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in young adults is rare and often caused by venous compression. Surgical outcomes for TN in this age group are unfortunately less favorable than in older populations.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating facial pain condition, typically affecting older adults and linked to neurovascular compression.
- TN is uncommon in individuals under 30, with only 1% of cases occurring in those younger than 20.
- Venous nerve compression, alone or with arterial compression, is the suspected cause in younger TN patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cases of TN in patients aged 25 or younger.
- To identify demographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics of TN in this young population.
- To evaluate the outcomes of surgical interventions for TN in patients 25 years or younger.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical records and surgical outcomes.
- Study included patients aged 25 or younger with TN who underwent surgery between 1995 and 2008.
- Data analyzed included demographics, symptom presentation, operative findings, and long-term outcomes.
Main Results:
- Seven patients (2 male, 5 female) aged 19.6 ± 3.4 years at onset and 22.9 ± 1.7 years at surgery met criteria.
- All cases involved venous compression; pain distribution was V2, V2-3, or V3, with no V1 involvement.
- Three patients had good outcomes, while four reported poor outcomes (no or mild pain relief) after surgery.
Conclusions:
- Trigeminal neuralgia is infrequent in young adults, presenting with symptoms similar to adults.
- Venous compression is a consistent finding in young TN patients.
- Surgical outcomes for TN in patients 25 or younger are less favorable compared to older populations.
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