Primary VS secondary trigeminal neuralgia, what is the difference?

*For medical professionals only

Trigeminal neuralgia is a clinically common cranial nerve disease, with an age of onset of 28~89 years old
.
The latest WHO survey data shows that trigeminal neuralgia is tending to be younger, and the prevalence of the population is increasing
.

Paroxysmal recurrent episodes, facial numbness, hypoesthesia, corneal dysreflexia, masticatory muscle weakness, and atrophy cause great distress
.
Although they are all trigeminal neuralgia, the classification is very different! Let's take a look!

One

Classification based on etiology

• Location of pain: within the distribution of
  the trigeminal nerve.
  

• Nature of pain: transient severe pain, severe pain like electric shock, knife cut, and tear.
  
  

• Attack time: recurrent, sudden stop, each lasting a few seconds to tens of seconds, the interval period is completely normal
  .
  

• Precipitating factors: Random facial movements such as speaking, chewing, brushing, and washing the face or touching an area of the face (such as the upper lip, nose, supraorbital foramen, infraorbital foramen, and oral gums).
  
  

• Accompanying symptoms: dare not eat, wash face, haggard face, depressed; Severe with painful tics (ipsilateral muscle twitches, facial flushing, lacrimation, and salivation).
  
  

• Age of onset: under 40 years of age
  .
  

• Duration of seizures: longer, or persistent, episodic worsening
  .
  

• Predisposing factors: There are no "trigger points"
  .
  

• Signs: hypoesthesia, absence, or hypersensitivity in the innervated trigeminal nerve, with corneal dysreflexia, masticatory muscle weakness, and atrophy
  in some cases.
  

• Ancillary examinations: CT and MRI can confirm the diagnosis
  .
  

Two

Classification is based on the characteristics of pain symptoms

• The pain is paroxysmal and recurrent
  .
  

• There are definite intervals and they are completely normal
  .
  

• There are "trigger points" and clear inducing actions
  .
  

• The trigeminal nerve is functioning normally
  .
  

• Pain practice is prolonged or even persistent, but may be paroxysmal and exacerbated
  .
  

• No "trigger point" phenomenon
  .
  

• Manifestations of trigeminal hypofunction (facial numbness, hypoesthesia, corneal dysreflexia, masticatory muscle weakness, and atrophy)
  are present.