The diagnosis and management of facial pain below the eye can be very different dependant on whether the patient visits a dentist or medical practitioner. A structure for accurate diagnosis is proposed beginning with a very careful history. The commonest acute causes of pain are dental and these are well managed by dentists. Chronic facial pain can be unilateral or bilateral and continuous or episodic. The commonest non-dental pains are temporomandibular disorders TMDs , especially musculoskeletal involving the muscles of mastication either unilaterally or bilaterally; they may be associated with other chronic pains. A very wide range of treatments are used but early diagnosis, reassurance and some simple physiotherapy is often effective in those with good coping strategies.
1. Foreword
Diagnóstico diferencial em dor facial atípica: estudo clínico
Trigeminal neuralgia is the hallmark of facial pain syndromes, characterized by paroxysmal disproportionate pain in relation to light stimuli. This syndrome has been well characterized and there are numerous medical and surgical treatment options for patients with the appropriate diagnosis. In addition to trigeminal neuralgia, there are many other facial pain syndromes with other overlapping etiology ranging from post-viral conditions, multiple sclerosis, tumors, stroke, trauma and auto-immune diseases. Learn more about: Trigeminal neuralgia Atypical facial pain Glossopharyngeal neuralgia. To give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies and by continuing to use the site you agree that we can save them on your device. Skip to content.
Approach to facial pain diagnosis
Try out PMC Labs and tell us what you think. Learn More. Trigeminal neuralgia TN , the most common form of severe facial pain, may be confused with an ill-defined persistent idiopathic facial pain PIFP. A possible cause for PIFP is proposed. Relevant articles were selected, and all systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. 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.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, even mild stimulation of your face — such as from brushing your teeth or putting on makeup — may trigger a jolt of excruciating pain. You may initially experience short, mild attacks. But trigeminal neuralgia can progress and cause longer, more-frequent bouts of searing pain. Trigeminal neuralgia affects women more often than men, and it's more likely to occur in people who are older than
