Stanford Trigeminal Neuralgia Program

Our Trigeminal Neuralgia Program brings together researchers, neurosurgeons, radiologists, psychiatrists, and pain management specialists to provide our patients with the most current diagnostic and treatment options, and the latest research findings. Our leadership in innovation and clinical research helps us get one step closer to finding long-term, safe, and minimally-invasive solutions for those suffering from trigeminal neuralgia and chronic facial pain.

Treatment Options

Our multi-disciplinary team offers a range of services from diagnosis and pain management to nerve blockers and physical therapy. When it is determined that a neurosurgical therapy is needed, our team has developed expertise in both microsurgical and radiosurgery approaches for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, and specialization in microvascular decompression for facial pain.

  • Cyberknife Radiosurgery: Once limited to treating tumors, we can now apply this technology to also treat conditions like trigeminal neuralgia. Offering this non-invasive, outpatient treatment provides our patients an alternative to conventional surgery.
  • Learn More about our Cyberknife Program
  • Percutaneous Radiofrequence Lesioning: We offer a variety of percutaneous ablative procedures, including radiofrequency gangliolysis, glycerol rhizolysis, balloon compression, and botox injections.  
  • Microvascular Decompression Surgery: This type of surgery can help patients gain long-term control of their pain and is the most durable, however, it is the most invasive surgical option for the treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. 

Research

Our current research focuses on clinical outcomes for a variety of treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia and neuropathic facial pain. Our goal is to find the most effective, least invasive therapies for these conditions. Below are some of our more recent studies:

Brainstem Dose Constraints in Nonisometric Radiosurgical Treatment Planning of Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Single-Institution Experience

Authors: Michael Zhang, Layton A. Lamsam, Matthew K. Schoen, Swapnil S. Mehta, Geoffrey Appelboom, John K. Adler, Scott G. Soltys, Steven D. Chang

Published: World Neurosurgery, February 2018

Fluoroscopic C-Arm and CT-Guided Selective Radiofrequency Ablation for Trigeminal and Glossopharyngeal Facial Pain Syndromes

Authors: Nicholas A. Telischak, Jeremy J Heit, Lucas W. Campos, Omar A. Choudhri, Huy M. Do, Xiang Qian

Published: Pain Medicine, May 2017

Quantitative analysis of the safety and efficacy of microvascular decompression for patients with trigeminal neuralgia above and below 65 years of age

Authors: Jonathan Wallach, Allen L. Ho, Lily H. Kim, Aadel A Chaudhuri, Navjot Chaudhary, Francisco Vaz-Guimaraes, Steven D. Chang

Published: June 2018

More Research

Make An Appointment

Vee Vo
Program Manager, Neurosurgery

P: 650-723-6469
E: VeeVo@stanford.edu 

Support Group

For those who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, you are not alone! Please join us at Stanford to learn about the new treatment options and to share your experience with others going through similar situations. The meetings are free of charge and are a great resource for patient and family education. 

Clinical Trials

As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, most advanced clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Facial Pain Conference

The Facial Pain Association hosted its 2018 FPA Regional Conference at Stanford. The conference brought together patients, caregivers, and experts in the field of chronic facial pain and trigeminal neuralgia. 

2019 Facial Pain Conferene

The 2019 National Facial Pain Conference will take place November 2-3 at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, and features Dr. Steven D. Chang, along with other leading Facial Pain clinical experts. 

Learn More about the 2019 Conference

Trigeminal Neuralgia Webinar

Types of Facial Pain and Treatment Options

For more webinars focusing on facial pain and featuring Dr. Steven Chang visit the Facial Pain Association's Webinar Archive. 

Featured Textbook

Effective Techniques for Managing Trigeminal Neuralgia 
- Dr. Steven Chang and Dr. Allen Ho

Book Info

Our Experts

"During my three decades at Stanford, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the types of struggles patients face, and the many answers they still seek to help alleviate their symptoms and to find a cure for this condition." 

Steven D. Chang, MD
Robert C. and Jeannette Powell Neurosciences Professor
and, by Courtesy, of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Medical Advisory Board Member, Facial Pain Association