Neuropathic Pain Diagnosis
What falls under the category of neuropathic pain?
Neuropathic Pain Diagnoses in the Head and Neck Region:
Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Characterized by sudden, severe, electric shock-like pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve.
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
- Sharp, shooting pain in the back of the throat, tongue, tonsils, and ear due to irritation of the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Occipital Neuralgia
- Piercing, throbbing, or electric-shock-like pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears, typically due to irritation of the occipital nerves.
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
- Persistent burning or shooting pain in the area affected by herpes zoster (shingles), commonly involving the trigeminal nerve.
Post-Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain
- Persistent pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution following trauma or surgical procedures, characterized by burning, stabbing, or electric shock-like sensations.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Ongoing or recurrent burning sensation in the mouth without an obvious cause, often associated with altered taste and dry mouth.
Atypical Facial Pain
- Chronic facial pain that does not fit typical patterns of other facial pain syndromes, often involving a deep, aching pain.
Eagle Syndrome
- Pain in the throat, face, or ear due to an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament impinging on surrounding structures.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) with Neuropathic Pain
- Neuropathic pain component in TMD, involving chronic jaw pain that may include nerve involvement.
Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Neuropathic pain resulting from compression of the brachial plexus nerves, potentially causing pain in the neck and face.