Facial pain Flashcards
What are the risk factors of persistent idiopathic facial pain?
● History of widespread pain
● Genetic susceptibility
● Female
● Stress
What would a typical SOCRATES look like for a patient with Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?
S – Unilateral & involving ear, base of tongue, tonsillar fossa or angle of mandible
O – Initiated by swallowing, chewing, talking or coughing
C – Severe stabbing pain
R – N/A
A – Syncope or Arrhythmias (due to Vagal nerve involvement)
T – Transient
E – Alleviating (sometimes pulling on earlobe)
S – Severe
Arrhythmias - Irregular heart beat
What are the 3 biopsychosocial factors affecting pain?
1) Disease – History & Presenting disease
2) Environment – Lifestyle, Culture, Upbringing & Trauma
3) Patient Characteristics – Genetics, Gender, Etc
What is the aetiology of trigeminal neuralgia?
- Trigeminal nerve compression at Root Entry Zone (REZ) by tumours/blood vessels
- Which lead to Nerve damage
- Which lead to Abnormal nerve firing
What type of disease is chronic/persistent pain?
Disease of neuromatrix
Define HYPOALGESIA
Diminished pain response to a normally painful stimulus
E.g. In MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
Define atypical odontalgia
Pain in a tooth or edentulous alveolar ridge but NO clinical or radiological abnormalities can be detected
(80% pts relate with dental treatment)
Define HYPERALGESIA
Increased response to stimulus which is normally painful
What is giant cell arteritis?
Granulomatous arteritis affecting large/medium sized arteries
Most frequently the Temporal arteries
Define burning mouth syndrome
An idiopathic burning discomfort or pain affecting people with clinically normal oral mucosa in whom a medical or dental cause has been excluded
What are some associated symptoms of cluster headaches?
Same side lacrimation
Nasal stuffiness
Restlessness
Nausea
What topical and sytemic tx can be given to pts with atypical odontalagia?
Topical Treatment
* Capsaicin or Lidocaine
Systemic Treatment
* Tricyclic Antidepressants (Amitriptyline or Nortryptilline)
* Anti-epileptics (Gabapentin or Pregabalin)
Define DYSAESTHESIA
Unpleasant sensation whether spontaneous or evoked
How do you manage a pt with burning mouth syndrome?
Strong reassurance to Px
Consider cognitive behaviour therapy if moods are causing issue
What are the risk factors of trigeminal neuralgia?
Multiple sclerosis and hypertension
MS - lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves
Define ANALGESIA
Absence of pain in response to a normally painful stimulus
What are some systemic causes of burning mouth syndrome?
● Systemic disease (e.g. Diabetes)
● Medications (e.g. ACE inhibitors)
● Hormone & Vitamin deficiencies
What is the most common non-dental facial pain?
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
What affected anatomy contributes to orofacial pain?
Pain involving area above the neck, anterior to ears & below the orbitomeatal line (including pain from oral cavity)
How do you diagnose Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain?
Diagnosis is via Exclusion of other causes
(due to non-specific symptoms – “poorly localised pain with widespread radiation” OR no help after several dental interventions - Ie several XLAs and still pain)
What are the pharmalogical tx options for TMD?
● Analgesics – NSAIDs, Paracetamol or Opioids
● Corticosteroids – Iontophoresis or Intra-capsular injections
● Antidepressants
● Anxiolytics
● Sedative-Hypnotics
● Muscle relaxants
Think that a patient with TMD is normally stressed/anxious/depressed
How do you manage pts with atypical odontalagia?
Reassure Px no dental cause & stop on-going cycle of dental interventions
Consider congitive behaviour therapy
How do you manage a pt with persistent idiopathic facial pain?
Hold off on unnecessary dental treatments till pain resolved (assure Px unrelated to dental and explain likely cause ie stress)
Consider congitive behaviour therapy or use of antidepressants
How do you mange giant cell arteritis?
Corticosteroids (40-60mg/day Prednisolone)
Calcium or Vit D supplements