What is the Difference Between Temporal Arteritis and Trigeminal Neuralgia?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Temporal arteritis and trigeminal neuralgia are both conditions that can cause headaches, but they have distinct differences:
Temporal Arteritis:
- Also known as giant cell arteritis, it is an inflammatory condition that affects the temporal arteries, which supply blood to the head and brain.
- Mainly occurs in people aged over 50 years.
- Inflammation happens in the temporal artery.
- The main difference is that temporal arteritis patients will complain of head/facial pain, but it is not one-sided.
Trigeminal Neuralgia:
- A chronic pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face.
- Affects both younger and older patients, but rarely seen below the age of 40.
- Caused by compression or inflammation of the trigeminal nerve.
- Trigeminal neuralgia patients will complain of one-sided pain.
The key difference between temporal arteritis and trigeminal neuralgia is that temporal arteritis affects the temporal arteries, while trigeminal neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerve.
Comparative Table: Temporal Arteritis vs Trigeminal Neuralgia
Here is a table comparing Temporal Arteritis and Trigeminal Neuralgia:
Feature | Temporal Arteritis | Trigeminal Neuralgia |
---|---|---|
Definition | Inflammation of the temporal arteries, which supply blood to the head and brain | A chronic pain disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve |
Nature of Pain | Headache, mainly in the temporal and occipital regions | Sudden, excruciating pain, similar to electric shock, piercing, shooting, sharp, or 'knife-like' |
Location | Temporal or occipital region | Teeth, lower or upper jaw, cheek, and less commonly forehead or eye |
Frequency | Varies | Usually lasts a few seconds, may occur as episodes of pain lasting regularly for days, weeks, or months at a time |
Severity | Severe | Severe |
Associated Symptoms | Permanent blindness, jaw or tongue claudication, ischemic complications, weight loss, diplopia, scalp tenderness, half develop polymyalgia rheumatica | None |
Triggers/Relief | None | Facial motor movements, brushing teeth, washing face, light touch, shaving, putting on makeup, swallowing, kissing, cool breeze, air conditioning, head movements, vibration from walking or a car journey |
Causes | Inflammation, possibly initiated by exposure to an exogenous antigen | Trigeminal nerve compression from a nearby blood vessel |
Temporal Arteritis and Trigeminal Neuralgia are both inflammatory conditions affecting different parts of the head and face. Temporal Arteritis is characterized by headaches in the temporal and occipital regions, while Trigeminal Neuralgia is characterized by sudden, excruciating pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve.
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