Abstract
BackgroundQuantitative sensory testing (QST) is applied to evaluate somatosensory nerve fiber function in the spinal system. This study uses QST in patients with sensory dysfunctions after oral and maxillofacial surgery.MethodsOrofacial sensory functions were investigated by psychophysical means in 60 volunteers (30 patients with sensory disturbances and 30 control subjects) in innervation areas of the infraorbital, mental and lingual nerves. The patients were tested 1 week, 4 weeks, 7 weeks and 10 weeks following oral and maxillofacial surgery.ResultsQST monitored somatosensory deficits and recovery of trigeminal nerve functions in all patients. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between control group and patients were shown for cold, warm and mechanical detection thresholds and for cold, heat and mechanical pain thresholds. Additionally, QST monitored recovery of nerve functions in all patients.ConclusionQST can be applied for non-invasive assessment of sensory nerve function (Aβ-, Aδ- and C-fiber) in the orofacial region and is useful in the diagnosis of trigeminal nerve disorders in patients.
Highlights
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is applied to evaluate somatosensory nerve fiber function in the spinal system
After Oral- and Maxillofacial Surgery, many patients suffer from paresthesia or sensory loss in the perioral region
Thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds were determined by the quantitative sensory testing protocol (QST) that contained originally 13 parameters [6,21]: CDT, cold detection threshold; WDT, warm detection threshold; TSL, thermal sensory limen; PHS, paradoxical heat sensation; CPT, cold pain threshold; HPT, heat pain threshold; MDT, mechanical detection threshold; MPT, mechanical pain threshold; MPS, mechanical pain sensitivity; ALL, allodynia; WUR, windup ratio; VDT, vibration detection threshold; PPT, pressure pain threshold
Summary
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is applied to evaluate somatosensory nerve fiber function in the spinal system. This study uses QST in patients with sensory dysfunctions after oral and maxillofacial surgery. Nerve injury-associated dysfunction is a frequently reappearing problem in dentistry. Inferior alveolar nerve and lingual nerve injuries are the leading cause of litigation and patient complaints in the field of oral surgery [1] and often an expert’s report with a precise evaluation of the severity is needed. Full comprehension of the underlying pathophysiology as well as an appropriate treatment seems to be missing [2,3,4]. Mechanism based diagnosis, which contains a comprehensive characterization of the somatosensory phenotype of the patients, is of utmost importance to understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of neurosensory
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