LOS ANGELES (December 28, 1998) -- A free patient workshop for individuals who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia (severe facial pain) will be held Saturday, Jan. 23, 1999, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Harvey Morse Auditorium, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. Trigeminal neuralgia, a disabling disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve, affects thousands of people worldwide and is universally considered to be the most painful affliction known to adult men and women. When a blood vessel comes in contact with this nerve, it creates pressure which can cause episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the face. Historically, treatment options have been limited and only moderately effective, but recent advancements in skull base surgery have resulted in treatments that can eliminate pain immediately and permanently.
The Jan. 23 presentation is hosted by the Medical Center's Skull Base Institute and will include the latest in treatment options and symptom management, as well as a question-and-answer session. Led by Hrayr Shahinian, M.D., Director of the Skull Base Institute, the workshop will also include presentations by four other medical experts from Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Medical Center, and the San Diego Gamma Knife Center. Also participating in the workshop will be Terah Biszanta, West Coast Coordinator of the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association.
Victor Rosenfeld, M.D., an attending neurologist at Cedars-Sinai, will address medical management of this disorder. Robert Merrill, DDS, Clinical Director of the Oral-Facial Pain Clinic at UCLA Medical Center, will provide an overview of pain management options, and Kenneth Ott, M.D., neurosurgeon and medical director of the San Diego Gamma Knife Center will present information on the latest advances in Gamma Knife Radio-surgery.
Dr. Shahinian will provide information on Microvascular Decompression, a delicate surgical procedure in which surgeons meticulously separate the blood vessel and nerve, inserting a Teflon disk between them. Upon completion of this procedure, patients often report immediate and complete relief from the pain, which can be so intense that it causes a sufferer's head to snap back or results in temporary immobility.
Cedars-Sinai Skull Base Institute is one of only a few centers worldwide dedicated exclusively and comprehensively to excellence and advancement in skull base surgery. The institute integrates a team of expert physicians and clinicians with the latest in state-of-the-art facilities and technology to provide excellent treatment and outcomes for patients with trigeminal neuralgia, pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas and other vascular and endocrine disorders.
Although the workshop is free, seating is limited and early reservations are recommended. Please call 1-800-CEDARS-1 or 1-800-233-2771 to reserve a seat. Parking will be validated for visitor parking lots 1, 6 and 10.
For media information and to arrange an interview, please call 1-800-396-1002.