How can trigeminal neuralgia be diagnosed?

Clinical diagnosis: Syndrome of extreme facial pain in the absence of numbness or other objective findings, characterized by paroxysms of sharp stabbing pain in one of the divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Onset in mid->latter life, slighty greater f>m. Between paroxysms patient is pain free, paroxysm may last 15 min or more, many times/day. Trigger zone when stimulated sets off a paroxysm. Rarely bilateral.

Clinically : Trigeminal neuralgia is diagnosed clinically. Your doctor may still send you for a brain MRI to rule out any other pathology.