Characteristics and natural disease history of persistent idiopathic facial pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and neuropathic facial pain.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize key features, and to assess the clinical development of common nondental facial pain syndromes such as persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and neuropathic facial pain (NEUROP). METHODS: This is a longitudinal study in which prospective questionnaire data of patients presenting to a specialized outpatient clinic were collected from 2009 to 2019. A telephone interview was conducted with the same patients in 2020 to assess the natural disease history. RESULTS: n = 411 data sets of patients with chronic facial pain were compiled. Among these were n = 150 patients with PIFP, n = 111 patients with TN, and n = 86 patients with NEUROP. Guideline therapy had not been initiated in 38.7% (58/150; PIFP), 19.8% (22/111; TN), and 33.7% (29/86; NEUROP) patients. Of the patients with PIFP, 99.3% (149/150) had primarily consulted a dentist due to their pain syndrome. The additional telephone interview was completed by 236 out of the 411 patients (57.4%). Dental interventions in healthy teeth had been performed with the intention to treat the pain in many patients (78/94 [83.0%] PIFP; 34/62 [54.8%] TN; 19/43 [44.2%] NEUROP), including dental extractions. 11.3% (7/43) of the patients with TN had never profited from any therapy. In contrast, 29.8% (28/94) of the patients with PIFP had never profited from any therapy. Furthermore, the primary pharmaceutical therapy options suggested by national guidelines were, depending on the substance class, only considered to be effective by 13.8% (13/94; antidepressants) and 14.9% (14/94; anticonvulsants) of the patients with PIFP. CONCLUSIONS: Facial pain syndromes pose a considerable disease burden. Although treatment of TN seems to be effective in most patients, patients with PIFP and NEUROP report poor effectiveness even when following guideline therapy suggestions. In addition, unwarranted dental interventions are common in facial pain syndromes.

Differences in the Clinical Characteristics of Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain (Atypical Odontalgia) Patients with or Without Neurovascular Compression of the Trigeminal Nerve.

BACKGROUND: Persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) is the unexplained pain along the territory of the trigeminal nerve, including nonorganic tooth pain called atypical odontalgia (AO). Though PIFP is debilitating to patients' livelihood and well-being, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Although neurovascular compression (NVC) of the trigeminal nerve is known to be associated with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the relationship between NVC and other orofacial pains has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the differences in the characteristics of PIFP (primarily AO) patients in the presence or absence of NVC. A retrospective analysis was performed on data from 121 consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with unilateral PIFP according to the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 and underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans of the head. RESULTS: In the group without NVC, characteristic findings were significant for psychiatric morbidity, somatization, and pain disability, when compared with the group with NVC. Furthermore, the group without NVC exhibited significant headache, noncardiac chest pain, shortness of breath, and pain catastrophizing. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PIFP patients can be divided into two groups: one consistent with a neuropathic pain phenotype when NVC is present and a functional somatic symptom phenotype when presenting without NVC. Our findings may enable a more precise understanding of pathophysiology of PIFP and lead to better treatment strategies.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients from a teaching hospital in Brazil: is it possible?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a cost-effective intra-oral appliance for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome built into a large teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 20 evaluated and treated patients, 14 concluded the study: eight men and six women, with a mean age of 42-46 (mean + SD) years and mean body mass index of 27.66. Inclusion criteria were mild or moderate apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) according to a polysomnographic study. All patients were treated with the monobloco intra-oral appliance. They were then submitted to a follow-up polysomnographic study after 60 days using the appliance. An orofacial clinical evaluation was carried out with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire and with clinical evaluation questionnaire devised by the Orofacial Pain Team before and 60 days after fitting the intra-oral appliance. RESULTS: The AHI showed a statistically meaningful (p = 0.002) reduction from 15.53 to 7.82 events per hour, a non-statistically significant oxygen saturation increase from 83.36 to 84.86 (p = 0.09), and Epworth's sleepiness scale reduction from 9.14 to 6.36 (p = 0.001). Three patients did not show any improvement. The most common side effect during the use of the appliance/device was pain and facial discomfort (28.57%), without myofascial or temporomandibular joint pain as evaluated by the RDC/TMD questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The intra-oral device produced a significant reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index during the study period with the use of the monobloco intra-oral appliance. Patients did not show prior myofascial pain or 60 days after use of the intra-oral appliance.

An up-to-date view on persistent idiopathic facial pain.

Previously called atypical facial pain, persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) is a common, but poorly defined entity. The cause of PIFP is unknown, but surgery or injury in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve could be reported as early event. Treatment is often unsatisfactory and quality research relating management of this condition is missing. Psychologi-cal distress is frequently observed in patients suffering from persistent idiopathic facial pain. The present review aims at presenting the available knowledge of this elusive orofacial pain condition.

Overview of orofacial pain: epidemiology and gender differences in orofacial pain.

Chronic orofacial pain is a prevalent problem that encompasses numerous disorders with diverse causes and presenting symptoms. Compared with men, women of reproductive age seek treatment for orofacial pain conditions, as well as other chronic pain disorders more frequently. Important issues have been raised regarding gender and sex differences in genetic, neurophysiologic, and psychosocial aspects of pain sensitivity and analgesia. Efforts to improve our understanding of qualitative sex differences in pain modulation signify a promising step toward developing more tailored approaches to pain management.

The epidemiology of chronic syndromes that are frequently unexplained: do they have common associated factors?

BACKGROUND: Syndromes for which no physical or pathological changes can be found tend to be researched and managed in isolation although hypotheses suggest that they may be one entity. The objectives of our study were to investigate the co-occurrence, in the general population, of syndromes that are frequently unexplained and to evaluate whether they have common associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey that included 2,299 subjects who were registered with a General Medical Practice in North-west England and who completed full postal questionnaires (response rate 72%). The study investigated four chronic syndromes that are frequently unexplained: chronic widespread pain, chronic oro-facial pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue. Validated instruments were used to measure the occurrence of syndromes and to collect information on a variety of associated factors: demographic (age, gender), psychosocial (anxiety, depression, illness behaviour), life stressors, and reporting of somatic symptoms. RESULTS: We found that 587 subjects (27%) reported one or more syndromes: 404 (18%) reported one, 134 (6%) reported two, 34 (2%) reported three, and 15 (1%) reported all four syndromes. The occurrence of multiple syndromes was greater than would be expected by chance (P < 0.001). There were factors that were common across syndromes: female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 1.8; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5-2.2], high levels of aspects of health anxiety like health worry preoccupation (OR = 3.5; 95% CI 2.8-4.4) and reassurance seeking behaviour (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.7), reporting of other somatic symptoms (OR = 3.6; 95% CI 2.9-4.4), and reporting of recent adverse life events (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.9-2.8). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that chronic syndromes that are frequently unexplained co-occur in the general population and share common associated factors. Primary care practitioners need to be aware of these characteristics so that management is appropriate at the outset.

Facial neuralgias: analysis of the different types seen at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (Luth).

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the presentations, characteristics. the difficulties in diagnosis, treatment and response to treatment types of facial neuralgias seen at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. METHODS: Twelve patients with facial neuralgias diagnosed and treated in dental clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital were studies. Using strict for diagnosis, patients were categorized into: trigeminal, glosspharyngeal and post herpetic neuralgias. RESULTS: Eight patients had trigeminal neuralgia; three patients had post -herpetic neuralgia and one patient had glossopharyeal neuralgia. In six patients with Trigeminal neuralgia. mandibular branch was affected, while in the two patients maxillary branch was affected. Six patients with Trigeminal neuralgia responded to carbamazepine alone and 2 had additional drugs. The only patients with glosspharyngeal neuralgia responded to carbamazepine. One patient with post herpetic neuralgia tested positive for HIV. All the post herpetic neuralgia responded poorly to carbamezepine. CONCLUSION: Facial neuralgias are uncommon and usually present in the dental clinic. They can easily be misdiagnosed with resulting inappropriate. Correct diagnosis and treatment with carbamezepine is beneficial in majority of patients.

Can one predict the likely specific orofacial pain syndrome from a self-completed questionnaire?

To estimate the prevalence of orofacial pain (OFP) by specific diagnostic subgroups in the general population. Cross-sectional population study. General medical practice in South East Cheshire, UK. Participants of baseline investigation who completed the full postal questionnaire (1510, adjusted study participation rate 81%). Clinical examination was attended by 126 (43%) of all the participants who reported OFP in the questionnaire. These individuals were classified as musculoligamentous/soft tissue type, dentoalveolar or neurological/vascular. OFP duration, location, descriptors and statements on OFP were predictors of classification group. The estimated prevalence in the general population of musculoligamentous/soft tissue type of OFP was 7%, dentoalveolar 7% and neurological/vascular 6%. This study has derived a statistical model to classify participants with OFP into three broad groups (musculoligamentous/soft tissue, dentoalveolar and neurological/vascular) based on questionnaire information about OFP (OFP chronicity, location and verbal descriptors of pain). It is potentially useful in large population studies of OFP, where a clinical examination is not possible, however, further validation of its performance in large populations are necessary.

Cranial nerve length predicts the risk of delayed facial and trigeminal neuropathies after acoustic tumor stereotactic radiosurgery.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that length of cranial nerve irradiated is a major factor predicting the risk of cranial nerve injury following radiosurgery and to identify any other significant related treatment factors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ninety-two patients (93 acoustic tumors) were treated with a 201 source Cobalt-60 gamma unit from 1987 to 1990 and prospectively followed. The range of minimum tumor dose was 12-20 Gy and maximum dose 24-50 Gy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate any correlations between tumor measurements and treatment factors, with the development of trigeminal and facial neuropathies following radiosurgery. RESULTS: The risks of trigeminal and facial neuropathy following radiosurgery were associated with the pon-petrous distance and mid porous transverse tumor diameters respectively (anatomically related to the irradiated length of cranial nerves V and VII respectively) in both univariate (p = .002 for V and p = .026 for VII) and multivariate (p = .004 for V and p = .055 for VII) analyses. Tumor volume, other tumor measurements, maximum dose, minimum tumor dose, and tumor dose inhomogeneity were not significantly related to either trigeminal or facial neuropathy in univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Within a minimum tumor dose range of 12-20 Gy, the incidence of delayed trigeminal or facial neuropathy depended more on the estimated length of nerve irradiated than the tumor dose or tumor volume. In the future, the risk of delayed facial or trigeminal cranial neuropathy may be reduced significantly by performing radiosurgery when the tumor still has both a small mid-porous transverse diameter and a small pons-petrous distance.

Headache and facial pain in children and adolescents.

Headaches commonly affect children and adolescents. Proper diagnosis and management is dependent on thorough history taking and a comprehensive physical and neurological examination. Additional diagnostic testing is indicated in some cases. The second edition of the headache classification system by the International Headache Society has recently become available. The classification system is primarily based on adults, but we discussed the subtle distinctions made regarding children. In addition to the primary headache types of migraine, tension-type, and cluster headaches, we discussed selected symptomatic headaches. Emphasis was placed on migraine and tension-type headaches because these are the most common pediatric headache types. We briefly discussed genetic aspects of headaches. Genetic factors have been hypothesized for chronic tension headache and other forms of migraine, but genetic linkage has only been established for familial hemiplegic migraine. We reviewed the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies, including abortive and prophylactic medications for various age groups. Unlike headaches, facial neuralgias are rare in otherwise healthy children. Facial pain may be neurological, vascular, or dental in origin. We focused on trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, and Bell's palsy as neurological causes of facial pain in children.

Psychiatric perspectives on headache and facial pain.

For a subset of headache patients, an understanding of psychological antecedents and interpersonal difficulties is an important part of the headache evaluation. This subset includes patients with chronic headache, frequent headache, treatment-refractory headache, analgesic misuse problems, and serious compliance issues. Inadequate coping with stress is central to the persistence of headache in many such patients. Other patients present to the headache specialist but actually suffer from a serious comorbid psychiatric disorder, such as major depression, panic disorder, substance abuse, or personality disorder. For successful treatment of headache, it is important that these related problems be detected and either treated (as outlined here) or referred to a specialist for treatment.

Dolor orofacial en la clínica odontológica / Orofacial pain in the dental clinic

La mayor parte de las consultas odontológicas están relacionadas con dolores intraorales que afectan a estructuras dentarias, periodontales y mucosas. Aunque generalmente la causa originaria del dolor y la estructura afectada coinciden en la localización, en ocasiones el dolor orofacial y, particularmente, el dolor oral, es referido. Esto es, el dolor puede deberse a procesos de origen extraoral localizados fuera del territorio maxilofacial. De igual manera, determinados trastornos orales, como un desequilibrio oclusivo, pueden afectar también estructuras extraorales, ocasionando tensión y dolor en cuello, cabeza y espalda. La investigación en dolor orofacial es, sin embargo, una disciplina emergente en comparación con otras áreas anatómicas, quizás debido, en parte, a que el dolor tiende a remitir con el tiempo o con la sanación del tejido afectado (si hubiera una lesión). Sin embargo, la mitad de los pacientes con algún tipo de dolor orofacial lo sufre de manera crónica y, a diferencia del dolor agudo, remitente, el dolor crónico no es ya un síntoma, sino una patología de difícil manejo, con escasa o ninguna relación con los mecanismos que lo originaron. Además, la falta de una adecuada anamnesis y exploración clínica, nomenclaturas inapropiadas o la dificultad de diagnóstico, hacen complicado en ocasiones un óptimo abordaje terapéutico. La mayoría de las clasificaciones de dolor oral siguen atendiendo a la estructura anatómica afectada más que al propio mecanismo nociceptivo. Por otra parte, la etiología exacta de muchas algias denominadas atípicas o del síndrome de boca ardiente sigue siendo desconocida. Esta revisión pretende describir los principales motivos de consulta por dolor en la clínica dental, poniendo particular énfasis en el tipo de dolor desde el punto de vista de su mecanismo: nociceptivo, inflamatorio, neuropático, psicogénico o mixto

Most dental consultations are related to intraoral pain disorders affecting dental, periodontal and mucosal structures. Although the originating cause of pain and the anatomical structure frequently co-localise, orofacial pain and particularly oral pain are sometimes referred. That is, pain may be caused by extraoral processes out of the maxillofacial territory. Likely, some intraoral conditions such as an occlusal imbalance may also affect extraoral structures, leading to tension and pain on the neck, head, and back. Orofacial pain research is however an emerging discipline in comparison to other anatomical regions. This may be due, in part, to the fact that oral pain tends to recede over time or after tissue healing -in case there was an injury-. Notwithstanding, half of the patients reporting any sort of orofacial pain suffers chronically. And unlike acute receding pain, chronic pain is no longer a symptom, but a diffi cult-to-manage pathology, with scarce or none relation to the mechanisms that caused it. Moreover, the lack of appropriate anamnesis and clinical examinations, inaccurate pain syndrome nomenclatures or difficulty in diagnosis hamper sometimes an optimal therapeutic approach. Most oral pain classifications are still based on the affected anatomical structure rather than on the nociceptive mechanism itself. On the other hand, the precise aetiology of most of the so-called atypical algiae or the burning mouth syndrome is still unknown. The present review article aims to describe the main reasons for pain consultation at the dental clinic, with particular emphasis on the type of pain from a mechanistically point of view: nociceptive, inflammatory, neuropathic, psychogenic or mixed

Clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with unilateral sinonasal disease / Evaluación clínica, diagnóstico y manejo de pacientes con patología nasosinusal unilateral

OBJECTIVES: Unilateral sinonasal disease is commonly encountered in practice and represents an issue of major concern since neoplasms may mimic inflammatory conditions. This paper aims to describe the demographic, clinical and radiological patterns of unilateral pathologies and, accordingly, to establish a guiding algorithm for diagnosis and management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of patients with unilateral sinus opacification on CT scan who underwent endoscopic nasal surgery in our department from January 2011 to December 2017. RESULTS: Of the 150 patients included, 97(64.7%) and 53(35.3%) had inflammatory and neoplastic pathology, respectively. In the neoplastic group, malignancy was present in 35% of patients. Neoplastic conditions were more common in males (p = 0.02) and older patients (56 ± 18 years vs. 38 ± 18, p < .01). Nasal mass or polyp was observed in 56.7% patients. Chronic sinusitis was the most prevalent inflammatory condition, whereas inverted papilloma and osteoma were the most frequent neoplasms. Facial neuralgia, paraesthesia, epistaxis and, on CT scan, superior Lund-Mackay scores, bone remodelling and erosion were significantly more common in neoplastic conditions. Excellent agreement between punch biopsy and postoperative histological results was obtained (k = .883, p < .001). CONCLUSION: A sequential and careful management of unilateral lesions is mandatory. Based on our experience, we propose that, as routine, physical examination should be complemented with nasal endoscopy, CT scan and punch biopsy, in case of visible mass. Although clinical and radiological information might raise suspicion of some conditions, final diagnosis can only be established with histological examination of the surgical specimen

OBJETIVOS: La patología nasal unilateral es común en la práctica clínica y causa preocupación ya que las neoplasias pueden mimetizar las condiciones inflamatorias. Este trabajo pretende describir los patrones demográficos, clínicos y radiológicos de las patologías unilaterales y establecer un algoritmo para el diagnóstico y manejo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión retrospectiva de los registros médicos de pacientes con opacificación sinusal unilateral en la TC sometidos a cirugía nasal endoscópica en nuestro servicio desde enero de 2011 hasta diciembre de 2017. RESULTADOS: De los 150 pacientes incluidos, 97(64,7%) y 53(35,3%) presentaban patología inflamatoria y neoplásica, respectivamente. En el grupo neoplásico, la malignidad estaba presente en el 35% de los pacientes. Las condiciones neoplásicas fueron más comunes en hombres (p = 0,02) y pacientes mayores (56 ± 18 años vs. 38 ± 18, p < 0,01). Se observó masa nasal en el 56,7% de los pacientes. La sinusitis crónica fue la afección inflamatoria más prevalente, mientras que el papiloma invertido y el osteoma fueron las neoplasias más frecuentes. La neuralgia facial, la parestesia, la epistaxis y, en la TC, las puntuaciones superiores de Lund-Mackay, remodelación y erosión ósea fueron significativamente más comunes en los trastornos neoplásicos. Se encontró una excelente concordancia entre la biopsia por punción y los resultados histológicos postoperatorios (k = 0,88, p < 0,01). CONCLUSIÓN: Con base en nuestra experiencia, proponemos que, el examen físico se complemente con endoscopia nasal, TC y biopsia, en caso de una masa visible. A pesar de que la información clínica y radiológica puede generar sospechas de algunas afecciones, el diagnóstico final solo se puede establecer con el examen histológico postoperatorio

Risk factors for onset of chronic oro-facial pain--results of the North Cheshire oro-facial pain prospective population study.

Due to the cross-sectional nature of previous studies, whether mechanical factors predict the onset of Chronic oro-facial pain remains unclear. Aims of the current study were to test the hypotheses that self-reported mechanical factors would predict onset of Chronic oro-facial pain and that any observed relationship would be independent of the confounding effects of psychosocial factors and reporting of other unexplained symptoms. About 1735 subjects who had completed a baseline questionnaire were assessed at 2year follow-up for the presence of Chronic oro-facial pain, psychosocial factors (anxiety and depression, illness behaviour, life stressors and reporting of somatic symptoms), mechanical dysfunction (facial trauma, grinding, phantom bite and missing teeth) and reporting of other unexplained symptoms (chronic widespread pain, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue). About 1329 subjects returned completed questionnaires (adjusted response rate 87%). About 56 (5%) reported new episodes of Chronic oro-facial pain at follow-up. Univariate analyses showed that age, gender, reporting of other unexplained symptoms, psychosocial factors and two self-report mechanical factors predicted the onset of Chronic oro-facial pain. However multivariate analysis showed that mechanical factors did not independently predict onset. The strongest predictors were health anxiety (Relative Risk (RR) 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.2), chronic widespread pain (RR 4.0 95% C.I. 2.2-7.4) and age (RR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.7). The findings from this prospective study support the hypothesis that psychosocial factors are markers for onset of Chronic oro-facial pain. The efficacy of early psychological management of Chronic oro-facial pain to address these factors should be a priority for future investigations.

Angulation of the styloid process in Eagle's syndrome.

In a retrospective study, we investigated and compared the angulation and the length of the styloid process between patients operated for Eagle's syndrome and a control group by means of lateral skull and Towne's radiographs. Thirty patients with 51 symptomatic elongated styloid processes underwent surgery. As a control group, patients with chronic otitis media and trauma were included in the study and none of them had symptoms characteristic of an elongated styloid process. The length, medial and anterior angulation of the styloid processes of the patient and the control groups were measured on lateral skull and Towne's radiographs. The mean length of the styloid process was 5 cm on the right and 5.2 cm on the left in the patient group, whereas they were 2.8 and 2.6 cm, respectively, in the control group. The mean degree of anterior angulation in the patient group was 33.6 degrees on the right, 36.7 degrees on the left, whereas these were 21.4 degrees and 18.5 degrees , respectively, in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups for length and anterior angulation (P = 0.001). The mean medial angulation was 14 degrees on the right and 18.1 degrees on the left in the patient group, whereas these were 15 degrees and 16.3 degrees in the control group, respectively, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. The anterior angulation and the length of the styloid process are responsible for the symptoms of Eagle's syndrome.

Back pain in relation to musculoskeletal disorders in the jaw-face: a matched case-control study.

Back pain and temporomandibular disorders are both common conditions in the population with influence on the human motor system, but a possible co-morbidity between these conditions has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of an association between long-term back pain and pain and/or dysfunction in the jaw-face region. Back pain was defined as pain in the neck, shoulders and/or low back. The study-population comprised 96 cases with long-term back pain and 192 controls without back pain. We used a screening procedure, a questionnaire and a clinical examination of the jaw function. The questionnaire focused on location, frequency, duration, intensity and impact on daily life of symptoms in the jaw-face and back regions. The analysis was conducted on 16 strata, matched by age and sex for case vs. control, using Mantel-Haenszel estimates of matched odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as well as the corrected Mantel-Haenszel chi(2) test. The overall prevalence of frequent symptoms in the jaw-face region, as reported in the questionnaire, was 47% among cases and 12% among controls. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001) with a sevenfold odds ratio (CI: 3.9-13.7). Moderate to severe signs from the jaw region were clinically registered among 49% of the cases and 17% of the controls (P<0.0001, OR: 5.2, CI: 2.9-9.2). The results showed statistically significant associations between long-term back pain and musculoskeletal disorders in the jaw-face and indicate co-morbidity between these two conditions.

[The treatment of neuralgiform facial pains with the combined therapy of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) and the iontophoresis of nonsteroidal antiphlogistics]. / Die Behandlung neuralgiformer Gesichtsschmerzen mit der Kombinationstherapie von transcutaner elektrischer Nervenstimulation (TENS) und Iontophorese nichtsteroidaler Antiphlogistika.

In a prospective study, 46 patients suffering from facial pain were treated by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). In case of insufficient pain relief the combined use of TENS and iontophoresis of non-steroidal antiphlogistics was employed. Benzydamine was applied to the anode and diclofenac to the cathode instead of the contact gel, reducing average pain intensity to a marked 18%, compared to 81% to 63% by TENS only. Furthermore, the consumption of analgetics declined considerably with combined therapy. Severe side effects could not be registered. Therefore, this new combined therapy must be considered to be an alternative treatment before using systemic medication.

Stylalgia: an Indian perspective.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to study the stylalgia profile in Indians and the outcome of styloidectomy in such cases. DESIGN: This prospective study was carried out by random selection of patients with stylalgia using periodic random numbers. SETTING: This was a hospital-based study. METHODS: Surgical excision of the symptomatic enlarged styloid process was performed by the transtonsillar route using a dilation and curettage (D and C) curette. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients were followed postoperatively for their pain relief. RESULTS: Of 40 patients operated on, 31 (77.5%) became symptom free, 5 (12.5%) had considerable improvement in their symptoms, and 4 (10%) had no relief. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of an enlarged styloid process was found to be higher in an Indian rural population with female preponderance owing to their carrying of heavy weight on head. Styloidectomy was very rewarding. The D and C curette was found to be a very effective instrument for styloidectomy.

Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulders in female sewing machine operators: prevalence, incidence, and prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the occurrence and persistence of two restrictively defined neck-shoulder disorders among sewing machine operators. To assess factors associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorder and prognostic factors for remaining a case, when disorders were already present. METHODS: In an initial group of 243 sewing machine operators, 178 were followed up for 2 years. At baseline and at 1 and 2 years follow up the participants underwent a clinical examination of the neck and arms and filled in a questionnaire about current musculoskeletal complaints. Clinical criteria for two main neck-shoulder disorders were defined: rotator cuff tendinitis and myofascial pain syndrome. A baseline control group consisted of 357 women with varied non-repetitive work. RESULTS: At baseline the overall prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome and rotator cuff tendinitis was 15.2% and 5.8% among sewing machine operators compared with 9.0% and 2.2%, respectively, among controls. The presence of the disorders was strongly associated with a self perception of poor general health. Although myofascial pain syndrome showed a U shaped association with years as a sewing machine operator, rotator cuff tendinitis was absent among the newest recruits and present among 15% of the women with more than 20 years as a sewing machine operator. Besides years as a sewing machine operator, the risk of having a neck-shoulder disorder at baseline was significantly associated with high stress (prevalence ratio (PR)=2.54; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.28 to 5.05) when adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, living alone with children, job strain, and social support from colleagues and supervisors. Only one of 13 participants with rotator cuff tendinitis at baseline recovered during follow up. Myofascial pain syndrome showed a much more fluctuating tendency. Low social support (RR 3.72; 95% CI 1.22 to 11.30) and smoking (RR 3.93; 95% CI 1.33 to 11.58) were associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorders, which was also associated with neck-shoulder pain score and living alone with children. CONCLUSION: Rotator cuff tendinitis showed a higher degree of persistence than myofascial pain syndrome. Both disorders highly influenced the perception of general health. Women who lived alone with children, were smokers, or experienced low support from colleagues and supervisors had a higher risk of contracting a neck-shoulder disorder.

Chronic facial pain: a multidisciplinary problem.

Atypical facial pain is an unrecognised and unhelpful diagnosis but one which describes chronic pains that do not fit the present classification system. Due to the site of the pain, patients may seek and, indeed, receive treatment from dental practitioners and specialists, but the pain is often unresponsive and may have more in common with unexplained medical symptoms affecting other areas of the body, than with other dental symptoms. This review suggests a need for a diagnostic category of "chronic facial pain", which demands a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management.