Insights, facts and stories behind Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • J. M. Zakrzewska
Trigeminal Neuralgia Association price £16.50 inc p&p, pp 403 ISBN 0967239346 | ISBN: 0-967-23934-6

This book is a timely addition to texts on facial pain, written by a well-known author in the field of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). In particular, it is the first text to bring together the key themes of orofacial pain in an accessible form for patients and undergraduate dental students. The text is divided into 12 chapters that follow each other in a logical clinical fashion. Chapter 1 covers the presentation and diagnosis of TN; chapters 2 and 3 outline the fundamental anatomical principles and epidemiology of TN. Chapter 4 deals with the investigations and chapter 5 evaluates how best to optimise patient care. Chapters 6 and 7 discuss the medical and alternative methods of managing TN. Chapters 8 and 9 address the decision-making strategies and surgical management for TN. Chapter 10 addresses the recurrence and complications and chapters 11 and 12 discuss the importance of support groups and relevant research questions.

This book shows the advances in evidence based care for TN patients that have led to a greater understanding and improved management of TN. Furthermore, the text also explores novel methods used in the diagnosis and possible management strategies for TN. The text reads well with each chapter starting with a wonderful medical illustration by Malcolm Willett and the text is often 'dotted' with personal statements, poems or illustrations by patients that bring the text alive. The author also makes good use of figures and tables are used throughout and they all provide useful summaries with regard to pain history, differential diagnosis, treatment goals, epidemiology, clinical study design and evaluation and evidence base for management of TN. They are designed to help students take a questioning view of a topic, and perhaps to realise the complexity of diagnosis and management of TN and related conditions. Furthermore, the contents will certainly be useful to provide patients, undergraduates and postgraduates with a realistic overview of the subject and would be an essential 'tome' for university libraries.

Personally, I would wholeheartedly recommend the book to all TN patients, dental and medical undergraduates, and those post-qualification practitioners (specialising or not) who feel the need for an introduction to Trigeminal Neuralgia.