Foreign Body Induced Neuralgia: A Diagnostic Challenge

S Padmashree,Rema Jayalekshmy,Chaitra H Ramprakash

doi:10.1155/2013/352671

S Padmashree, Rema Jayalekshmy + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/352671

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Abstract

Neuropathic pain is caused by neural injury or painful states associated with either peripheral or central nerve injury. One of the aetiologies of this type of pain is iatrogenic trauma. This case highlights the features of peripheral neuropathic pain caused by foreign body left in the mental foramen following a previous surgical procedure. The foreign body was detected on routine radiographic evaluation. Once the foreign body was removed by surgical intervention, the pain resolved. This stresses the importance of routine radiographic evaluation in proper diagnosis and treatment planning in the management of neuropathic pain. This paper also sheds light on the role of iatrogenic mechanical cause of peripheral neuropathic pain and warrants a tough degree of caution on the part of oral clinicians.

Highlights

Neuropathic pain is caused by neural injury or painful states associated with either peripheral or central nerve injury
The other causes may be in the form of an overfilling root canal restoration, fractured root canal filling instrument [4], fragment of the restoration left behind in the area during extraction, which are iatrogenic in origin
Patients presenting with sensory symptoms in the distribution of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN)/mental nerve area should be assessed carefully by proper history recording, taking into consideration any previous surgical intervention

Summary

Introduction

Neuropathic pain is caused by neural injury or painful states associated with either peripheral or central nerve injury. The other causes may be in the form of an overfilling root canal restoration, fractured root canal filling instrument [4], fragment of the restoration left behind in the area during extraction, which are iatrogenic in origin These entrapped foreign bodies can impinge the nerve and cause either paroxysmal or continuous type of pain or paresthesia, which can be felt in the area of the distribution of that nerve. This case highlights the features of foreign body neuralgia which posed a diagnostic challenge at the clinical level and was unraveled later

Case Report

Discussion

Conclusion