Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia, An Usually Overlooked Diagnosis: A Prospective Single Center Observation Study.

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia is often difficult to diagnose in view of its symptoms that overlap with many other regional causes. This subset of patients commonly visits otolaryngologists, dentists, oncologists only to be referred to the other and finally to the psychiatrist when the diagnosis is overlooked. We hereby present a prospective observation study of 26 cases of Glossopharyngeal neuralgia. In our observation we found a prevalence of 0.2% for glossopharyngeal neuralgia in our patients with facial pain, however amongst the neuropathic pain the GPN was more prevalent with about 35% of all the cases. Amongst the cases diagnosed with GPN we had 73.1% female predilection as compared to only 26.9% male. 53.8% of cases had left sided and 46.2% on the right sided making it non-significant in sidewise predilection.

Comparative Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Acupuncture and Cupping for Treatment of Patients with Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome: A Double-blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial: Comparison of the Effects of LLL Acupuncture and Cupping.

Background: Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is among the most common causes of facial pain. This study compared the efficacy of low-level laser (LLL) acupuncture and cupping for the treatment of MPDS. Materials and Methods: This double-blind, before-after, randomized clinical trial evaluated 60 MPDS patients that were divided into two groups for LLL acupuncture (808 nm, 0.5 W, 30 J, 4 J/cm2 energy density, 60 seconds; group 1), and cupping (group 2) of masticatory muscle trigger points. Both treatments were performed for maximally eight sessions once every other day. The level of pain at the trigger points was measured upon admission, before and 5 minutes after treatment in each session, at ten days, and two months after treatment completion by a visual analog scale (VAS). The painless maximum mouth opening (MMO) and patient satisfaction with treatment were also assessed at the time as mentioned earlier points. Results: Averagely, 4.5 treatment sessions were required to achieve a 50% reduction in VAS pain score, with no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.9). Both treatments significantly decreased the number of trigger points and pain score, but this reduction occurred significantly sooner in the cupping group (P=0.01). MMO significantly improved in both groups after treatment with no significant difference between them (P=0.2). Patients were significantly more satisfied with LLL acupuncture (P=0.05). Conclusion: Both cupping and LLL acupuncture are equally effective for MPDS; thus, the patient can choose the type of treatment after receiving sufficient information regarding the two modalities.

Eagle's Syndrome Presenting as Peripheral Facial Palsy.

Eagle's syndrome (ES) is the elongation of the ossified styloid process that causes symptoms such as foreign body sensation, neck pain, and odynophagia. A styloid process greater than 25 mm in length should be considered abnormal. Facial palsy is a condition that affects the facial nerve and results in weakness or total paralysis of the facial muscles that control expression. Here, we describe a rare presentation of ES presenting as facial palsy. We present the case of a 62-year-old female who was admitted to the emergency department with right peripheral facial palsy. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent conservative management and physical therapy, which resulted in good evolution with an improvement of symptoms. She was referred to the otorhinolaryngologist for surgical evaluation.

Frank Hartley and his Contribution to Surgery.

Although Frank Hartley (1856-1913) was mostly known as the deviser of the method of bisecting the ganglion of the trigeminal nerve within the skull for the relief of facial neuralgia, it should be noted that he had also done very important work in the surgical treatment of goiter which was neglected at his times but later followed by his successors. Furthermore, he also had interest in the surgical treatment of clubfoot and the exstrophy of the bladder.

Atypical triggers in trigeminal neuralgia: the role of A-delta sensory afferents in food and weather triggers.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating craniofacial pain syndrome that is characterized by paroxysms of intense, short-lived electric shock-like pains in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Recently, the presence of triggers has become one of the key diagnostic criteria in the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Light touch is the most common trigger, however other non-mechanical triggers, such as cold weather and certain foods, have been thought to provoke trigeminal neuralgia anecdotally. We aimed to characterize the prevalence and characteristics of these atypical triggers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of atypical triggers in trigeminal neuralgia patients seen in a tertiary pain clinic in Singapore. Patients were recruited via clinic records, and study data were identified from physician documentation. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients met the inclusion criteria. Weather triggers were observed in 12 patients (20%), of which five patients (8%) reported strong winds, 4 patients (7%) reported cold temperatures, and 3 patients (5%) reported cold winds as triggers. Fifteen patients (25%) had a specific food trigger, of which 10 patients (17%) reported hard or tough food, 5 patients (8%) reported hot/cold food, 4 patients (7%) reported spicy food, and 2 patients (3%) reported sweet food as triggers. CONCLUSIONS: Although trigeminal neuralgia is most commonly triggered by mechanical stimuli, atypical triggers such as cold temperatures and certain foods are seen in a significant proportion of patients. These atypical triggers may share a common pathway of sensory afferent Aδ fiber activation.

Use of thermography as an auxiliary method to diagnose orofacial pain: a case study / O uso da termografia como método auxiliar diagnóstico em dores orofaciais: estudo de caso

ABSTRACT Thermography is an auxiliary diagnostic method widely used to assess soft tissues and thus diagnose neuropathic or inflammatory pain. The objective of this paper was to report a case in which thermography was used as an auxiliary method to diagnose neuropathic pain. The patient in question is a 43-year-old woman with complaints of pain and sensitivity in the upper and lower left dental arches, particularly when consuming alcoholic beverages. The case was assessed with thermography, followed by the Cold Stress Test. The symmetry of the thermographic images and the localized changes helped rule out neuropathic problems and diagnose the orofacial inflammatory pain. The thermography was used as an auxiliary instrument to diagnose orofacial pain, proving to be efficient. Also, the thermography helped rule out changes originating in peripheral, small-fiber, and inflammatory neuropathies, aiding the patient's differential diagnosis. The thermography also helped identify the thermo-anatomical points and, with the qualitative and quantitative analyses, noninvasively investigate the possible causes of the orofacial pain reported by the patient.

RESUMO A termografia é um método auxiliar diagnóstico muito utilizado para avaliação de tecidos moles e consequente diagnóstico de dores neuropáticas ou de origem inflamatória. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever a utilização da termografia como método auxiliar no diagnóstico das dores neuropáticas, por meio de um relato de caso. Trata-se de uma mulher, de 43 anos de idade, com queixas de dor e sensibilidade nas arcadas dentárias superior e inferior esquerda, principalmente durante a ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas. Para avalição do caso foram aplicadas as avaliações termográficas, seguida da realização do Cold Stress Test. A simetria das imagens termográficas, assim como alterações localizadas, permitiu descartar problemas neuropáticos e diagnosticar dor orofacial de origem inflamatória. A termografia foi utilizada como instrumento auxiliar diagnóstico nas dores orofaciais e mostrou-se ser eficiente para essa finalidade. Além disso, por meio da termografia foi possível descartar alterações neuropáticas de origem periférica, como as neuropatias de fibras finas e neuropatias inflamatórias, contribuindo para o diagnóstico diferencial da paciente. Com o auxílio da termografia, foi possível identificar os pontos termoanatômicos e investigar as possíveis causas das dores orofaciais relatadas pela paciente, de uma forma não invasiva por meio de análises qualitativas e quantitativas.

Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia by Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Occipital neuralgia is an uncommon disorder characterized by severe pain involving the posterior scalp in the distribution of the greater and lesser occipital nerves. In cases refractory to pharmacotherapy, invasive treatment options may be warranted. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of thermal radiofrequency ablation (TRF) on occipital neuralgia. We hypothesized that this procedure would result in long-term pain relief. METHODS: All patients who underwent TRF of the greater and lesser occipital nerves between January 1, 2013 and March 23, 2016 were identified. Medical records were reviewed for preprocedure pain score, 1-month postprocedure pain score, patient-defined percent pain relief according to the visual analog scale (on which zero equals no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable), and length of pain relief. The primary outcomes were the differences between preprocedure and 1-month postprocedure pain scores (mean change from baseline), percent pain relief, and patient-reported length of relief. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were identified; 4 patients were excluded because of insufficient data as a result of loss to follow-up. A significant difference was found between preprocedure and postprocedure patient-reported pain scores (6.7 vs 2.7, respectively; P < 0.001), equating to a mean reduction in pain scores 1-month postprocedure of 4.0 ± 3.3. The mean patient-defined percent pain relief was 76.3% ± 25.0%. The mean patient-reported length of relief was 6.5 ± 5.1 months. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that TRF may reduce pain scores for approximately 6 months.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Upper Limbs Caused by Facial Pain / 계명의대학술지

Polyacrylamide hydrogel is a widely used filler material in cosmetic procedures performed on the face and breasts. Recently, however, complications including inflammation, deformity, and pain have been reported. The present article addresses unregulated materials/products injected as dermal fillers. The authors report a case involving a 29-year-old woman who developed severe facial pain after undergoing a cosmetic procedure with injectable triamcinolone and hyaluronidase. Two months later, the pain spread to her upper and lower limbs, and abdomen, which eventually led to the the development and diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in the upper limbs. The authors hypothesize that CRPS in the upper limbs was responsible for the facial pain through sensitization of third-order neurons and the trigeminal nucleus caudalis extending to the upper cervical segments.

Determination of normative values for mechanical quantitative sensory tests in the orofacial region / Determinação de valores normativos para testes quantitativos sensoriais mecânicos na região orofacial

Um novo conceito de tratamento de síndromes dolorosas baseada em mecanismos de dor é baseado na hipótese de que diferentes sinais clínicos refletem alterações em diversos mecanismos de geração de dor. Para analisar estes mecanismos, em 2006, o DFNS (German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain) criou um protocolo padronizado de testes quantitativos sensoriais (QST) para uma avaliação quantitativa de mecanismos de geração de dor, criando valores de referência para mão, pé e face (músculo masseter). No entanto, ainda há falta de valores de referência para alguns testes quantitativos em diversas importantes regiões orofaciais como o músculo temporal anterior e a mucosa oral. Este estudo buscou determinar valores normativos dos QSTs nessas regiões e avaliou a eficácia de um estímulo condicionante (CPM) na percepção da dor por meio de dois estímulos teste (PPT e MPT). 60 sujeitos saudáveis (30 homens/30 mulheres) foram examinados com os testes de sensibilidade tátil (MDT), limiar de dor mecânico (MPT), somação temporal (WUR), limiar de dor à pressão (PPT) e condicionamento modulatório da dor (CPM), afim de determinar valores normativos na população. Os pacientes foram examinados em sessão única por um único examinador treinado sob o protocolo desenvolvido pelo DFNS. Para avaliação estatística dos dados da CPM uma análise de variância (ANOVA) foi utilizada comparando os fatores sítio (2 níveis), tempo (2 níveis) e sexo (2 níveis) entre os dois estímulos teste (MPT e PPT). Os valores de referência para QST foram comparados por uma ANOVA multi-vias considerando os fatores sítio (3 níveis), lado (2 níveis), e sexo (2 níveis) (α=5%). MDT e MPT mostraram efeitos principais de sítio (p<0,001), em que a mucosa apresentou os maiores limiares para MDT e menos limiares para MPT, quando comparada à mão e temporal anterior. PPT demonstrou efeitos principais de sítio e sexo. Limiares de dor à pressão do músculo temporal foram menores comparados com a mão (p<0,001) e homens apresentaram maiores limiares que as mulheres em todos os sítios. O teste WUR não apresentou nenhum efeito de sexo, sítio ou lado examinado. Os dois estímulos teste da CPM (MPT e PPT) foram capazes de produzir maiores limiares quando comparados aos estímulos não condicionados (p<0,001). Um maior número significativo de sujeitos respondeu positivamente a estimulação CPM no músculo temporal (p=0,002) para ambos estímulos teste. O estudo concluiu que o perfil sensorial avaliados por meio de QSTs pode ser influenciado pela região de exame e sexo. O efeito da CPM foi igualmente positivo para ambos estímulos teste. No entanto, seu grau de resposta depende da região avaliada.(AU)

Modern concepts for the treatment of pain patients are based on the hypothesis that different clinical signs and symptoms reflect different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of pain generation. To analyze these mechanisms, in 2006, the DFNS (German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain) developed a standardized protocol of quantitative sensory testing (QST) for a quantitative evaluation of pain generating mechanisms, creating reference values for hand, foot and face (masseter muscle) sites. However, there is a lack of orofacial reference values for the temporalis muscle and maxillary gingiva. This study aimed to determine reference values for QST protocol in the orofacial region and evaluate the effectiveness of two test stimuli during conditioned pain modulation (CPM) test. Sixty participants (30 men/30 women) were examined through the tests of mechanical detection (MDT), mechanical pain (MPT), wind-up ratio (WUR), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM), to determine reference values in healthy subjects. Individuals were examined in a single session by a trained examiner under the protocol developed by the DFNS (2006). The CPM statistical evaluation was done by a multi-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) within the factors site (2 levels), time (2 levels), and sex (2 levels); comparing the absolute values of MPT and PPT. QST reference values comparison was made by a multi-way withinsubjects ANOVA performed considering the factors site (3 levels), side (2 levels) and sex (2 levels) (α=5%). MDT and MPT showed main effects of site (p<0.001), where the maxillary gingiva presented the highest thresholds for MDT and lowest MPT thresholds. In addition, PPT values of the anterior temporalis were lower than the hand (p<0.001). PPT (p<0.001) showed main effects of sex, where men presented higher thresholds. WUR did not show any main effects of sex, site or side. Both CPM test-stimulus (PPT and MPT) were capable of producing significantly higher thresholds during conditioning stimulus when compared to baseline thresholds (p<0.001). Temporalis CPM respondents were significantly higher (p=0.002) than hand respondents for both QSTs. The study concluded that orofacial QST profile of healthy participants could be influenced by the test site and sex. The CPM does not differ considering PPT and MPT as test stimuli, but the test site can influence its effects.(AU)

Quantitative sensory testing in trigeminal traumatic neuropathic pain and persistent idiopathic facial pain / Teste sensitivo quantitativo em dor neuropática trigeminal pós-traumática e dor facial idiopática persistente

The objective of this article was to investigate, with a systematic protocol of quantitative sensory testing, patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) and others with trigeminal traumatic neuropathic pain (TTN) compared to controls. Thirty patients with PIFP, 19 with TTN, and 30 controls were evaluated on subjective numbness and dysesthesia and with a systematic protocol of quantitative sensory testing for thermal evaluation (cold and warm), mechanical detection (touch and pinpricks for mechanical pain), superficial pain thresholds, and corneal reflex. We found that PIFP and TTN had numbness and dysesthesia higher than controls (p<0.001 and p=0.003), and that in both of them mechanical pain by pinpricks detection was abnormal intra and extra orally at the mandibular branch (p<0.001). Cold, warm, and tactile detections and pain thresholds were similar among the groups. Corneal reflex was abnormal in TTN (p=0.005). This study supports neuropathic mechanisms involving pain processing in PIFP and that the criterion on absence of sensorial variations in PIFP should be revised.

O objetivo deste artigo foi investigar, com um protocolo sistemático de testes sensitivos quantitativos, pacientes com dor facial idiopática persistente (DFIP) e outros com dor neuropática trigeminal traumática (DNTT) comparado aos controles. Trinta pacientes com DFIP, 19 com DNTT e 30 controles foram avaliados quanto à dormência e à disestesia subjetiva e por meio de um protocolo sistemático de testes sensitivos quantitativos, que incluiu avaliação térmica (frio e quente), detecção mecânica (táctil e alfinetes), limites de dor superficial e reflexo córneo-palpebral. Foi observado que os pacientes apresentaram mais dormência e disestesia do que os controles (p<0,001 e p=0,003), além de mais anormalidades intra e extraorais no ramo mandibular (p<0,001). As alterações de calor, frio, dor e tato foram semelhantes entre os grupos. O reflexo córneo-palpebral foi anormal somente no grupo com DNTT (p=0,005). Este estudo suporta mecanismos de dor neuropática envolvidos no processamento da DFIP, e o critério de ausência de variações sensoriais nesta deve ser revisto.

A prospective study of 39 patients with trigeminal neuralgia treated with percutaneous balloon compression / Estudo prospectivo de 39 pacientes com neuralgia do trigêmeo tratados com compressão por balão percutâneo

OBJECTIVE: Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common facial pain. It may be treated with percutaneous balloon compression (PBC), which is considered to be a safe and efficient procedure. The purpose of this study was to review our results with PBC and to assess the factors influencing the outcome. METHOD: A multivariate analysis was used to study 39 patients during a 50-month postoperative period. RESULTS: There was predominance of the female gender (54 percent), the right side of the face (84 percent) and V2V3 roots of trigeminal nerve (33 percent). The mean age was 62.3 years. No major complications or deaths occurred. Among all variables, postoperative hypoesthesia was the single prognostic factor capable of positively influencing the results (p=0.02). Most patients (80 percent) were pain-free after 50 months with a 90 percent satisfaction rate. CONCLUSION: PBC was a safe procedure with low morbidity, no mortality, high approval ratings, and was an important improving on patients' quality of life.

OBJETIVO: A neuralgia do trigêmeo é a dor facial mais comum. Ela pode ser tratada através da compressão percutânea com balão, que é considerado procedimento seguro e eficaz. A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar nossos resultados e os fatores que influenciariam o seguimento. MÉTODO: Foi utilizada análise multivariada para estudar 39 pacientes submetidos ao procedimento, com seguimento de 50 meses. RESULTADOS: Houve predominância do sexo feminino (54 por cento), lado direito (84 por cento) e dos ramos V2V3 (33 por cento). A idade média foi de 62,3 anos. Não houve complicações maiores ou óbito. Dentre todas as variáveis, a única capaz de influenciar positivamente os resultados foi a hipoestesia pós-operatória (p=0,02). A maioria dos pacientes (80 por cento) estava livre da dor após 50 meses de seguimento, com 90 por cento de satisfação. CONCLUSÃO: Este procedimento foi considerado seguro, com baixa morbidade, sem mortalidade, com alta taxa de aprovação e representou melhora importante na qualidade de vida dos pacientes.