Facial Pain

The OHSU Facial Pain Program is a national leader in the treatment of orofacial pains, including trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureaux). Pain is a complex and multifaceted disorder requiring multidisciplinary care. The program provides comprehensive pain care, including psychological evaluation and counseling, with a special emphasis on surgical treatments of medically-intractable pain problems.

Led by Kim Burchiel, MD, professor and chairman of the OHSU Department of Neurological Surgery, the OHSU Facial Pain Program has successfully treated over 1,000 patients with trigeminal neuralgia over the last 5 years.

The facial pain program offers the best available medical and surgical techniques, including:

• Glycerol injection
• Microvascular decompression
• Motor cortex stimulation
• Stereotactic radiosurgery
  
• Subcutaneous stimulation
• Surgical rhizotomy

 
Try our free interactive online Facial Pain Diagnosis tool.

Read the "Talking about Facial Pain" interview with Dr. Kim Burchiel

Related Health Topics

Anatomy of the brain
Facial pain: classification
Trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia: medical treatment
Trigeminal neuralgia: surgical treatment

Neuroradiologist - Trigeminal Neuralgia Imaging Protocol

Standard information for neuoradiologists on how to perform the MRA procedures to detect neurovascular decompression, current MRI imaging protocol is as follows:

• MRA (TOF) axial source images — 0.5 mm 3D (Flip angle = 25 degrees)
• T2 unenhanced axial images — 1.5-2.0 3D
• T1 (FSE) with gadolinium axial images — 1 mm 3D (Flip angle = 45 degrees)

The region of the trigeminal nerve, from Meckel's cave across the subarachnoid space of the cerebellopontine angle to the entry point into the brain stem, is analyzed for evidence of neurovascular compression.

Clinical Team

Kim Burchiel, M.D., Professor and Chairman
David Gostnell, PhD., Assistant Clinical Professor
Richard Kolbell, PhD., Clinical Instructor
Anthony Gomez, P.A.-C, Physician Assistant
Andrew Zacest, M.B.B.A., Instructor

Support Team

503 494-4314
Todd Ellingson-Patient Care Coordinator
Jodi Phillips - Surgical Care Coordinator