scholarly journals Chronic Facial Pain: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome—An Evidence-Based Narrative Review and Etiological Hypothesis

Author(s):  
Robert Gerwin

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the most common form of severe facial pain, may be confused with an ill-defined persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP). Facial pain is reviewed and a detailed discussion of TN and PIFP is presented. A possible cause for PIFP is proposed. (1) Methods: Databases were searched for articles related to facial pain, TN, and PIFP. Relevant articles were selected, and all systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. (2) Discussion: The lifetime prevalence for TN is approximately 0.3% and for PIFP approximately 0.03%. TN is 15–20 times more common in persons with multiple sclerosis. Most cases of TN are caused by neurovascular compression, but a significant number are secondary to inflammation, tumor or trauma. The cause of PIFP remains unknown. Well-established TN treatment protocols include pharmacotherapy, neurotoxin denervation, peripheral nerve ablation, focused radiation, and microvascular decompression, with high rates of relief and varying degrees of adverse outcomes. No such protocols exist for PIFP. (3) Conclusion: PIFP may be confused with TN, but treatment possibilities differ greatly. Head and neck muscle myofascial pain syndrome is suggested as a possible cause of PIFP, a consideration that could open new approaches to treatment.

Author(s):  
Seung Zhoo Yoon ◽  
Sang Ik Lee ◽  
Sung Uk Choi ◽  
Hye Won Shin ◽  
Hye Won Lee ◽  
...  

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra D Baker ◽  
Melvin Field

Abstract INTRODUCTION Trigeminal Neuralgia (TGN) is a horrific facial pain disorder that is paroxysmal, stabbing, shooting pain that affects the face due to compression of the trigeminal nerve. Literature has suggested that the use of an endoscope for microvascular decompression (eMVD), as opposed to a microscope alone, is more likely to identify the source of neurovascular compression and ensure that the nerve is adequately decompressed. MVD for TGN is successful in many patients however, this procedure still occasionally results in hearing loss, cerebellar injury, double vision, infection, dysesthesias, unresolved TGN facial pain, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Many of these adverse outcomes are a result of inadvertent damage to surrounding tissue from the surgical tools. Because eMVD requires less retraction, offers better visualization, and is less invasive it seems to be a promising technique in the surgical management of TGN. METHODS This retrospective chart review aims to explore the efficacy of eMVD for TGN by studying rates of adverse events and comparing them to the literature using descriptive statistics. This is the largest study to date evaluating complications associated with eMVD for TGN. RESULTS In this cohort, adverse events include facial numbness (4.3%), dizziness (0.4%), ataxia (0.4%), diplopia (1.9%), infection (0.8%), spinal fluid leak (0.4%), stroke (0.4%), and chronic headaches (0.8%). There were no cases of facial paralysis, hearing loss, or dysphagia. CONCLUSION Despite 2D visualization with the endoscope, neurologic injury does not appear to be any higher than with traditional 3D MVD and is safe in this patient population. The endoscope seems to be a very efficacious tool for TGN. In the literature for traditional MVD rates of adverse events are not consistent. In this cohort of patients, the rates of adverse events seem to be lower or similar to MVD. Regardless of technique, this surgery has low rates of complications so researchers should continue to monitor adverse outcomes to explore significant trends.


2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 861-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Sabatke ◽  
Rosana Herminia Scola ◽  
Eduardo S. Paiva ◽  
Pedro André Kowacs

Objective : The aim was to examine the effect of blocking trigger points in the temporal muscles of patients with masticatory myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and headache.Method : Seventy patients with one trigger point were randomly divided into 3 groups: injection with saline or anesthetic and non-injected (control).Results : Pain was reduced in 87.71% patients injected with saline and 100% injected with anesthetic. Similar results were obtained for headache frequency. With regard to headache intensity, the injection groups differed from the control group, but not between themselves.Conclusion : Treatment with injection at trigger points decreased facial pain and frequency and intensity of headache. Considering the injected substance there was no difference.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athmaja Thottungal ◽  
Pranab Kumar ◽  
Arun Bhaskar

Author(s):  
Paulina Golanska ◽  
Klara Saczuk ◽  
Monika Domarecka ◽  
Joanna Kuć ◽  
Monika Lukomska-Szymanska

This review elaborates on the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of temporomandibular (TMD) myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) regulated by psychosocial factors. MPS impairs functioning in society due to the accompanying pain. Directed and self-directed biopsychosocial profile modulation may be beneficial in the treatment of MPS. Moreover, nutrition is also a considerable part of musculoskeletal system health. A fruit and vegetable diet contributes to a reduction in chronic pain intensity because of its anti-inflammatory influence. Cannabidiol (CBD) oils may also be used in the treatment as they reduce stress and anxiety. A promising alternative treatment may be craniosacral therapy which uses gentle fascia palpation techniques to decrease sympathetic arousal by regulating body rhythms and release fascial restrictions between the cranium and sacrum. MPS is affected by the combined action of the limbic, autonomic, endocrine, somatic, nociceptive, and immune systems. Therefore, the treatment of MPS should be deliberated holistically as it is a complex disorder.


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