Batool S Vazir, Tahera Ayub, Sabeen Masood.
Comparison of the current trends in managing trigeminal neuralgia among oral maxillofacial surgeons and neuro surgeons in Sindh.
Pak J Surg Jan ;35(1):41-3.

Objectives: To determine and current the current trends in managing trigeminal neuralgia among oral maxillofacial surgeons and neuro-physicians in Sindh - Pakistan. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and duration: This survey was conducted in the Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi. The survey was initiated on the 30 November 2017 and was concluded on the 20th March 2018. Materials and Method: A total of 110 practitioners from all over Karachi have participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the current trends in the management of trigeminal neuralgia Results: According to the results att ained oral maxillofacial surgeons preferred plain radiograph for their investigation while neuro-physicians found MRI as their first choice for a patient with suspected trigeminal neuralgias. While the data showed that oral maxillofacial surgeons opted for a conservative pharmacological treatment, mostly carbamazepine. Neurophysicians used Gabapentin most commonly in their practice. Majority of the patients were refractory who previously had undergone alcohol injections were encountered by both oral maxillofacial surgeons and neuro-physicians. The use of Gamma knife was rare to none due to non-affordability on the patient?s part and non-availability on the doctor?s side. Conclusions: The management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a challenge both for neurophysicians and oral maxillofacial surgeons. The lack of a full comprehension of the complex patho-genesis at the basis of trigeminal neuralgia remains a key factor.

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