Regional Patient Conference and CE Course on Trigeminal Neuralgia and Chronic Facial Pain Held at NYUCD
) TNA conference organizers, from left: Dr. Michael Pasternak, President of the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (TNA); Ms. Shelly Wilson, conference coordinator; and TNA Medical Advisory Boad members Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Peter Jannetta (Chairman of the Board), and Dr. David A. Sirois. |
NYUCD was both the site and a cosponsor for a Trigeminal Neuralgia and Chronic Facial Pain Patient Conference and Continuing Education Course in April. The event drew over 200 participants from 16 states. It was also cosponsored by the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association's New York Support Groups and Winthrop University Hospital, and was organized by Dr. David A. Sirois, Associate Professor of Oral Medicine and of Diagnostic Science and Urgent Care and the newly appointed Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. In addition to presentations targeted to patients and their families on the management of facial pain resulting from trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and other neuropathic facial pain conditions, the conference offered a Continuing Education session for physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dental hygienists, dental assistants and other allied health professionals. The aim of the CE session was to provide an understanding of trigeminal neuralgia and chronic facial pain disorders, the dental evaluation of patients, the diagnosis and management of classic TN and related facial pain, when a patient should be referred to a neurologist or neurosurgeon, and an understanding of the different surgical treatments for TN and chronic facial pain.Topics included the history of TN, spectrum of neuropathic face pain, dentistry and TN, before and after the diagnosis issues, medical management, principles and concepts of surgery, microvascular decompression, percutaneous procedures, radiosurgery, motor cortex stimulation, case studies and a Q&A. The Trigeminal Neuralgia Association is a national, non-profit association concerned with the plight of those who suffer from TN (trigeminal neuralgia) and other neuropathic facial pain. TN, also known as tic douloureux, is a disorder of the fifth cranial nerve causing episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the nerve is distributed. TN is not fatal but is considered to be one of the most painful afflictions known. |
