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Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common cause of facial pain in individuals over 50 years old and can have a profoundly negative impact on quality of life. Epidemiological studies have measured the annual incidence of trigeminal neuralgia at around 4-5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. In Iceland, this would amount to about 16-20 new cases annually. ⋯ Other underlying causes include multiple sclerosis (MS), tumors and in some cases, no cause is found. Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia involves medication with drugs such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, or various types of surgical procedures. This article will review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.