A Case of Multiple Recurrences of Trigeminal Neuralgia: Attributed to Central Sensitization?

Abstract Background Although many hypotheses about the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia have been developed, there is little discussion about the multiple recurrences of trigeminal neuralgia. Case presentation Here we report a patient with refractory multiple recurrent trigeminal neuralgia, in which we accordingly found that an increase in facial pain trigger points and a rapid movement of the upper limb extremity could trigger an onset of trigeminal neuralgia. We offer hypothesis on the multiple recurrences of trigeminal neuralgia by explaining the cause of multiple trigger points in this patient. Conclusions Given that central sensitization is involved in a number of mechanisms of pain development and is associated with some of the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. We hypothesized that central sensitization may have been involved in the disease development of this case of refractory trigeminal neuralgia, which led to the development of trigger point generalization and multiple recurrence after surgical treatments.