The trigeminal nerve in diabetes mellitus: A brief narrative review

This brief narrative review discusses the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of trigeminal nerve-related conditions, such as neuropathy and neuralgia, in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Although these conditions are not very common, there is a solid connection between them in diabetic patients. Symptoms typically include facial pain, sensory disturbances, and muscle weakness for neuropathy and severe, stabbing pain for neuralgia. Diagnosis is based on characteristic clinical manifestations, along with laboratory investigation and magnetic resonance imaging to exclude other potential causes, such as tumours, multiple sclerosis, or vascular compression. Treatment focuses on strict glycaemic control, modification of vascular risk factors, pharmacological agents (carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine), and neurostimulation to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Publication History

Received: 07 January 2025

Accepted after revision: 06 March 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
06 March 2025