Cranial Neuralgia Treatment in Turkey
About Cranial Neuralgia
Key Highlights
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Provides targeted relief from severe, lancinating facial pain.Offers both diagnostic clarification and therapeutic intervention.Utilizes precise, minimally invasive techniques like nerve blocks.Can significantly improve daily function and quality of life.Treatment plans are highly individualized based on the specific nerve involved.
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis and treatment of classic or atypical trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux).
- Severe, episodic pain in the distribution of the glossopharyngeal or occipital nerves.
- Facial pain unresponsive to standard analgesic medications.
- To perform a diagnostic nerve block to confirm the pain source.
- As a step before considering more invasive neurosurgical procedures.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive neurological examination and detailed pain history.
- High-resolution MRI of the brain and cranial nerves to rule out tumors or vascular compression.
- Review and potential adjustment of current medications (e.g., anticoagulants).
- Fasting for several hours if a procedural intervention (like a nerve block) is planned.
- Discussion of the procedure's goals, steps, and potential risks with the neurologist.
Risks & possible complications
- Temporary numbness, weakness, or a burning sensation in the treated area.
- Infection or bleeding at the injection site for nerve blocks.
- Rare risk of damage to adjacent structures or blood vessels.
- Potential for pain recurrence, requiring repeat procedures.
- Complications specific to surgical options (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid leak, hearing loss with microvascular decompression).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate rest after a nerve block procedure; someone should drive the patient home.
- Mild soreness at the injection site can be managed with ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Gradual return to normal activities as tolerated, often within 24-48 hours for non-surgical interventions.
- Close monitoring of pain levels and any new neurological symptoms.
- Follow-up appointments with the neurologist to assess efficacy and plan further management if needed.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-2 days
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Expected recovery time:
1 day to 4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cranial neuralgia in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cranial neuralgia in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, Medical Park Gaziosmanpaşa, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Bahçelievler, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cranial neuralgia. MediFyr helps you compare neurologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cranial neuralgia compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Cranial Neuralgia in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated neurology teams and experience managing patients undergoing cranial neuralgia.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Ayaan Kumar, a 28-year-old software engineer...
Ayaan Kumar, a 28-year-old software engineer from Bangalore, had always been active and career-driven. For the past 18 months, he had been plagued by excruciating, electric-shock-like pain that erupted from the right side of his jaw and radiated up to his temple and behind his eye. It was triggered by the simplest acts, chewing, talking, or even a cool breeze on his face. Multiple dentists found nothing wrong, and a previous neurologist diagnosed him with atypical facial pain, but medications like carbamazepine only caused debilitating drowsiness, threatening his job. Desperate and increasingly isolated, he was referred to a neurologist specializing in cranial neuralgias. After a detailed history and a high-resolution MRI, the neurologist diagnosed him with Trigeminal Neuralgia, Type 2. He recommended a procedure called a Microvascular Decompression (MVD), explaining that a blood vessel was likely compressing his trigeminal nerve and the surgery would gently pad it away. Terrified of brain surgery but more terrified of living in constant pain, Ayaan agreed. The MVD was performed successfully. The immediate post-op period in the hospital was uncomfortable, with headache and facial numbness, but the characteristic lightning bolts of pain were gone. Over six weeks of careful recovery at his parents' home, the surgical soreness faded. The numbness persisted but was a welcome trade for the absence of torture. Emotionally, Ayaan transformed from a hopeless, anxious shadow of himself to a man cautiously rebuilding his life. He felt a profound gratitude for the return of simple pleasures like eating a meal and socializing without fear.