Table 2. IHS Diagnostic Criteria for Symptomatic TN.

Adapted from (IHS, 2013).

Diagnostic criteria:

A. Paroxysmal attacks of pain lasting from a fraction of a second to 2 minutes, with or without persistence of aching between paroxysms, affecting one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve and fulfilling criteria B and C

B. Pain has at least one of the following characteristics:

1) intense, sharp, superficial or stabbing

2) precipitated from trigger areas or by trigger factors

C. Attacks are stereotyped in the individual patient

D. A causative lesion, other than vascular compression, has been demonstrated by special investigations and/or posterior fossa exploration

Symptomatic:

A. Paroxysmal attacks of pain lasting from a fraction of a second to 2 minutes, with or without persistence of aching between paroxysms, affecting one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve and fulfilling criteria B and C

B. Pain has at least one of the following characteristics:

1) intense, sharp, superficial or stabbing

2) precipitated from trigger areas or by trigger factors

C. Attacks are stereotyped in the individual patient

D. A causative lesion, other than vascular compression, has been demonstrated by special investigations and/or posterior fossa exploration