A NEW AGENT IN THE TREATMENT OF TIC DOULOUREUX: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

The medical treatment of tic douloureux has progressed little since the original description of this disease by Fothergill in 1776.1 In more recent times, due in large measure to the efforts of Blom of Uppsala, interest in the anticonvulsant treatment of this painful disease has increased.2,3 It is Blom's contention that diphenylhydantoin, in addition to its anticonvulsant properties, affects synapses at levels caudal to the mesencephalon, and on this basis he has used the drug in the treatment of tic douloureux. Results with such treatment have been variable. A particular disadvantage of therapy with diphenylhydantoin is the high doses which are sometimes necessary to effect even a partial remission in symptoms, and which may be associated with side effects of annoyance to the patient.