Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day: How CyberKnife Can Help

October 7 is National Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day, a time to raise awareness for a rare nerve disorder that many have never heard of.

Often referred to as the “suicide disease” due to the unbearable pain patients experience, trigeminal neuralgia (TN) can occur when a blood vessel compresses the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest nerves in the head. The condition is characterized by episodes of intense shocking or burning sensations in the face that are triggered by slight touches or even normal actions like chewing or talking.

Although there is no known cure for TN, Louisville CyberKnife offers an advanced treatment method called stereotactic radiosurgery that can significantly reduce or eliminate pain in patients treated with the procedure.

To treat TN patients with SRS, our center uses CyberKnife® technology to deliver precisely focused radiation to a targeted segment of the trigeminal nerve to interrupt pain-causing fibers. The pinpoint accuracy of the procedure spares healthy tissue and allows us to treat difficult-to-reach targets without surgery or sedation.

Most treatments are completed in a single outpatient procedure and are typically completed within one hour or less. Patients experience few to no side effects with CyberKnife treatment and are free to return to their normal activities immediately following treatment.

This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.