Botulinum Toxin as Monotherapy in Symptomatic Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is one of the most agonizing facial pain disorders that humans endure. Studies on onabotulinum toxin A (BTX-A) treatment for TN are limited, but promising with respect to TN of no identifiable cause. We aimed to investigate the efficiency and safety of BTX-A treatment in a 60-year-old male with diabetes mellitus who in March 2013 presented with TN caused by an exostosis in Meckel's cave. METHODS: The patient was medically treatment refractory due to insufficient pain relief and adverse events of hyperglycemia, and surgery was declined due to complex anatomy. As a last resort, BTX-A was injected into the pain trigger zones of the trigeminal nerve (V5). RESULTS: Complete analgesia was reported 2 weeks after BTX-A injection. Pain medications were discontinued and laboratory values returned to acceptable levels. Regular BTX-A treatment during the next 28 months showed sustained analgesic effect. CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A has an excellent safety profile and may be efficient for patients with symptomatic TN not suited for conventional therapies.