Nervus Intermedius Neuralgia in a Ten-Year-Old Boy

Abstract

Background: Nervus intermedius neuralgia is an intermittent, severe, and paroxysmal neuropathic pain in the auricular canal that can last a few seconds to several minutes, and then may completely disappear. Case Description: A ten-year-old presented to the orofacial pain clinic with pain measured by the visual analog scale as 10/10. Diagnosing this patient included medical, dental, and pain history which revealed that in the four previous months, the patient had seen a pediatrician, family practice physician, three otorhinolaryngologists, a neurologist, pediatric neurologist, acupuncturist, orthodontist, dentist, and oral & maxillofacial surgeon. The boy was treated pharmacologically but continues to remain under a strict follow-up schedule. Practical Implications: Diagnosing these types of orofacial pain problems usually present a number of challenges for health care professionals due to the anatomical complexity of the cranio-maxillofacial area and unclear pathophysiological mechanisms. We hope that this case report will be added to the present body of literature.