Tratamento adjuvante com fotobiomodulação para neuralgia do trigêmeo: relato de caso

Abstract

Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a condition with an undefined etiology, although it has been associated with trigeminal nerve compression due to aging blood vessels, making the nerve susceptible to localized demyelination. This condition frequently affects females over 50 years old and is characterized by acute, sudden, continuous, and imprecise pain, or a burning sensation. Objective: To report a clinical case of adjuvant treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for TN. Case report: A 66-year-old female patient with fair skin presented to the School of Dentistry Clinic at the Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto campus, referred by a neurologist, with complaints of pain in the tongue, palate, and gingiva for ten years, since her diagnosis. The patient was continuously using gabapentin. Complementary examinations showed no alterations in radiographs of the paranasal sinuses or computed tomography scans. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed supratentorial white matter foci without noticeable compressive effects, possibly related to gliosis/microangiopathy. The treatment protocol consisted of extraoral and intraoral photobiomodulation with LLLT at an infrared wavelength (880 nm), 100W power, 4J/cm², and 40 seconds per irradiation point. The patient initially underwent four sessions, with a pain visual scale score decreasing from 7 to 1. After 53 days, she returned for three additional sessions, with pain scores decreasing from 10 to 5. Final considerations: Although TN has no cure, its symptoms can be managed through local treatments, aiming to provide greater comfort and improved quality of life for the patient.