Unilateral Facial Pain Research Articles

Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia Secondary to Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia: Review of the Literature and Illustrative Case

Classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by severe, unilateral facial pain, often resulting from vasculonervous conflict. A less common cause of TN is vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD). Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the preferred surgical intervention for TN, but in case of VBD, the surgical procedure is more complex due to the aberrant vascular anatomy. This study aims to review the evidence on MVD for VBD-induced TN, and analyze operative challenges, efficacy, and postoperative outcomes. An illustrative case is also presented. We report on the case of a 62-year-old male with a 7-year history of right-sided TN affecting the maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3) territories. The patient underwent MVD using the interposition technique, where Teflon sponges were placed between the basilar artery and the nerve. Postoperatively, the patient experienced complete pain relief without neurological deficits. At 12 months follow-up, the patient remained pain-free and off medications. We performed an extensive literature review using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences, highlighting the most relevant studies and findings on the topic. The literature review showed that, while MVD is effective in providing long-term pain relief in VBD-induced TN, the choice between interposition and transposition techniques remains debated. Interposition is easier to perform but may inadvertently increase nerve compression in some cases, whereas transposition offers more definitive decompression but carries higher technical risks. Our case and the available literature highlight the importance of individualized treatment planning in achieving optimal outcomes for patients with VBD-induced TN. Further research is needed to refine surgical techniques and minimize complications in this subset of TN patients.

Trigeminal neuralgia and its comorbidities: a nationwide disease trajectory study.

There is a limited understanding of risk factors and comorbidities in trigeminal neuralgia, a disease characterized by paroxysms of severe unilateral facial pain and a higher incidence in women. We aim to identify temporally associated comorbidities involving trigeminal neuralgia by analyzing nationwide disease trajectories. Using data from 7.2 million unique individuals in the Danish National Patient Register between 1994 and 2018, each individual diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia was compared with 10,000 matched controls to identify co-occurring diseases. The sequential disease associations were identified in sex-stratified disease trajectories. A Cox-regression analysis investigated whether treatment with carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, as compared with gabapentin, pregabalin, or lamotrigine, was associated with stroke risk. Finally, we investigated the stroke polygenic risk score and its association with stroke incidence in a subset of genotyped individuals with trigeminal neuralgia. We included 7141 individuals with trigeminal neuralgia (64.2% female, mean age at diagnosis 58.7 years) and identified 18 diseases associated with subsequent trigeminal neuralgia. After diagnosis, trigeminal neuralgia was associated with 9 diseases, including ischemic stroke (relative risk 1.55). Carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine treatment increased the ischemic stroke risk (hazard ratio 1.78; 95% confidence interval 1.47-2.17); however, the polygenic risk of stroke showed no association. In the Danish population, a trigeminal neuralgia diagnosis is temporally associated with 27 diseases revealed in systematic disease trajectories. Trigeminal neuralgia itself and its first-line treatment, but not a stroke polygenic risk score, was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke indicating that vascular risk factors should be routinely assessed in individuals with trigeminal neuralgia.

Interdisciplinary strategies for diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Temporary, sudden, shooting and recurrent unilateral facial pain in the supply area of one or more trigeminal nerve branches characterises trigeminal neuralgia. Innocuous stimuli trigger the pain, e.g. chewing, speaking or brushing teeth. In some patients, paroxysms superimpose on continuous pain. In aetiological terms, idiopathic, classic (due to neurovascular compression) and secondary trigeminal neuralgia (e.g. due to multiple sclerosis, brainstem ischaemia and space-occupying lesions) are defined. Many drugs may be efficacious, with carbamazepine being first-choice therapy. However, non-pharmacological and invasive procedures may also help. To reach the correct diagnosis and determine the best therapeutic measures, adequate pain characterisation and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential. We hereby present our experience of an interdisciplinary approach for the diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Parotid Gland Microcystic Lymphatic Malformation Producing Obstructive Symptoms

Background: Salivary gland obstruction can present as unilateral, episodic facial swelling. Vascular malformations as a cause of parotid duct obstruction with associated unilateral cheek swelling and pain are rare. Case description: We describe the case of a 16-year-old female with a protracted 2-year history of unilateral facial swelling and pain that was misdiagnosed as recurrent parotitis on computed tomography and sialoendoscopy. Eventually, the 16-year-old female was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging to have a microcystic lymphatic malformation of the parotid duct as the cause of her cheek swelling and pain. Afterwards, the patient was referred to undergo interstitial bleomycin sclerotherapy. Conclusions: This case demonstrates a unique microcystic lymphatic malformation producing obstructive symptoms as well as the utility of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of a patient presenting with recurrent unilateral facial pain and swelling.

Successful Ayurveda Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic pain syndrome which is characterized by critical unilateral paroxysmal facial pain. TN is a chronic pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve Attacks of pain are usually stimulated by tactile irritation within the part of the trigeminal nerve. TN leads with disability and poor quality of life, even when patients are taking conventionally treatments. Case- A 71 years old man consulted in Out-patient department of Sanjeevani Hospital, DSRRAU, Jodhpur, with the complains of sudden pain like electric shock on right side of the head which gets aggravated on touch patient and so MRI was done which was suggestive of patient suffering with trigeminal neuralgia. In the present case report patient was considered suffering from Anantvata and was treated with 2 sittings of leech therapy with oral medications like Ekangveer Ras, Mahavatavidhvansan ras, a mixture of Ashwagandha Churna, Bala churna, Godanti bhasma and Dashmool kwath with Anutaila Nasya, were also added to the treatment and the same continued for three months. According to symptoms, patient was diagnosed with TN. As per the outcomes, we can say that the cases of TN can be successfully managed with Ayurvedic treatment only and no surgical intervention is needed.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effect of Two-Time Durations of Balloon Compression During Percutaneous Balloon Compression in Resistant Trigeminal Neuralgia

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon compression of the trigeminal nerve’s gasserian ganglion for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is an interventional pain procedure with results comparable to microvascular decompression surgery. The procedure is safe in experienced hands and has less morbidity associated with it. However, there is a lack of clear-cut guidelines about the details of the technique like balloon shape, inflation pressure, and duration of inflation. So, keeping the inflation pressure and shape of the balloon constant, we studied the effect of the duration of inflation of the balloon and its effect on pain relief in refractory trigeminal neuralgia cases. OBJECTIVES: To study the outcome with 2 different durations of balloon inflation times in terms of pain relief and complications after percutaneous balloon compression. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective parallel design randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in North Eastern India after obtaining approval from the Institutes’ ethics committee (Dean/2018/EC/449). The study was also registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI no. CTRI/2019/03/018166). All patients referred to a pain clinic for unilateral facial pain were screened for the study over 2 years from April 2019 to March 2021. METHODS: Forty patients who met the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia and who did not respond satisfactorily to medications were included in the study. They underwent routine blood investigations and a magnetic resonance image of the brain to rule out any medical or surgical conditions. Percutaneous balloon compression was conducted under C-arm guidance using a 12 gauge cannula and a 4 Fr Fogarty balloon was used for compressing the gasserian rootlets. RESULTS: Patients who underwent 90 seconds as well as 120 seconds showed good pain relief. The 2 groups did not show any significant difference in pain relief based on the duration of compression. Visual analog scale scores were reduced from 7-8 to 0-3. Masseter muscle weakness was present in 47.5% of patients post-procedure and recovered in all except one patient. LIMITATIONS: We have followed up with our patients for a short period of 6 months only. We could not measure the intra-luminal compression pressure of the balloon. CONCLUSION: There is no difference in the pain relief obtained by the 2 different durations of compressions. A longer duration of compression, however, has more incidence of side effects. KEY WORDS: Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, percutaneous balloon compression, time duration, shape of balloon, masseter muscle weakness, facial numbness, corneal dysesthesia

Turbinates involvment in rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis in covid positive cases - A study on 100 cases

Mucormycosis also called as zygomycosis previously refers to several different diseases caused by infection with fungi belonging to the order Mucorales. Rizopus species are the most common causative organism. The infections are life threatening. Risk factors such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Neutropenia are present in most cases. During the pandemic period of COVID-19 2 wave rhino orbital mucormycosis was commonly effected with probable reasons are due to over dosage of steroid usage and o2 therapy, Uncontroled diabetes etc. To know the percentage of involvement of turbinates (MT,IT)in Rhino orbito cerebral mucormycosis cases in covid positive patients by doing endoscopic sinus surgery. A total of 100 covid positive patients with ROMM were selected and taken for radiological evaluation and selected for ESS during intraoperatively turbinates involvement with mucor (eschar/pus/crusting) was noted diagnosis of ROMM was based on CECT findings and symptoms in covid positive cases. Patients who are attending to Gandhi hospital during the pandemic of 2 wave of covid 19 were selected in study. Common age group with ROMM are 36to 55 years, with male predominance, commonest symptoms are unilateral facial pain & swelling, nasal crusting and dental complaints, commonest sinus to be involved is maxillary sinus, comorbid condition is Diabetes mellitus and moderate percentage of involvement of turbinates(common is middle turbinate) were noted. On microbiological and pathological examination of specimen showed positive KOH mount and mucorales order fungi are common followed by rizopus species. Main conclusions in this study are turbinates involvement with mucor in covid positive cases (eschar/necrosis/pus discharge) is more common in 43 patients (43%), most common mucor pathology seen in maxillary sinus in 58 patients(58%),followed by ethmoid sinus and sphenoid and orbit, teeth.

Role of Physical Therapy in Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Case With 4-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia presents with acute stabbing unilateral facial pain along the nerve distribution precipitated by innocuous sensory stimuli. Trigeminal neuralgia can be unrelenting and can lead to severe physical and emotional consequences. Medical and surgical intervention often has adverse effects, and reports of physical therapy treatment are uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient in this case presented for physical therapy with a history of head/neck surgery, migraines and headaches, joint pain, and depression, with severe sharp shock-like pain aggravated by innocuous oral activity in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Over 10 sessions, she received manual therapy for joint, myofascial, and nerve mobilization, and upper limb stretching and strengthening. OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP: Her pain level decreased substantially and interfered with only 1 oral activity at 4-year follow-up. DISCUSSION: Her presentation may inform the differential diagnosis of craniofacial pain. Her management integrating manual therapy with exercise and the positive clinical outcome suggest a new avenue for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. JOSPT Cases 2023;3(2):119–126. Epub: 13 April 2023. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2023.11446

Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Feature in Trigeminal Neuralgia

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is usually established using characteristic clinical features such as sudden, severe, and unilateral facial pain. Studies about diverse clinical features and epidemiologic data of TN have been reported previously; however, most of the previous studies have evaluated in and focused on Caucasian and Western populations. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate diverse clinical features, currently applied types of treatment, and brain imaging studies in patients with TN in a Korean population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: An interventional pain management practice in South Korea. METHODS: Patients with a primary diagnosis of TN were identified using Clinical Data Warehouse v 2.5 (CDW, Planit Healthcare, Seoul, Korea) using the key words “trigeminal neuralgia and G50.0 (International classification of disease 10 code).” RESULTS: TN occurred predominantly between the fifth and seventh decades of life, with female predominance. The V3 division and unilateral right-side involvement were the most common affected region. An electric shock like sensation and the intraoral side (teeth and gingiva) were the most common pain description and location, respectively. Normal brain imaging studies and vascular compression on the trigeminal nerve were observed in 92 (64.7%) and 36 (25%) patients, respectively. The superior cerebellar artery was the most common offending vessel (19;13.3%). Monotherapy with carbamazepine alone was the most common (91;37.7%), whereas radiofrequency thermoablation was the most common invasive treatment. LIMITATIONS: The results of this study were based on data on TN patients from a single center. The generalizability of the findings to the Korean population is thus limited. CONCLUSION: There is little difference between Korean and other Asian patients with TN in their demographic and clinical characteristics. KEY WORDS: Brain imaging, clinical feature, electric shock-like sensation, intraoral side, trigeminal neuralgia, vascular compression

Microvascular decompression: Diversified of imaging uses, advantages of treating trigeminal neuralgia and improvement after the application of endoscopic technology.

Classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) is a unilateral and severe facial pain disease, which seriously affects the patient's quality of life. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is currently the most effective surgical method, and it is the only treatment for the etiology of CTN. Imaging for MVD has been increasingly used, and the advantages and disadvantages of endoscopy-assisted vascular decompression surgery have been controversially debated. In this review, we aimed to discuss the advantages of MVD in the treatment of patients with CTN, the importance of using imaging in disease management, and the improvements of vascular decompression surgery through the application and maturity of endoscopic techniques. Compared with other surgical methods, MVD has more prominent short- and long-term treatment effects. Its selection depends on the accurate discovery of neurovascular compression by preoperative imaging. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging plays a diverse role in MVD, not only in identifying the responsible vessels but also in determining the prognosis and as a tool for scientific research. The use of endoscopic techniques provides improved visualization of the MVD and additional benefits for vascular decompression surgery.

Diagnosis of invasive Mucormycosis on Histopathological examination at a tertiary referral hospital

This study is conducted with an aim to Diagnosis of invasive Mucormycosis on Histopathological examination at a tertiary referral hospital. Rhino cerebral Mucormycosis is the current life-threatening infection commonly affecting immunocompromised patients especially post COVID-19 within 6 weeks having poor glycemic control, Intravenous drug users, ICU patients, post chemotherapy, iron overload, persistent neutropenia and follow-up cases of hematological malignancies. It affects the nasal and paranasal sinuses by air-borne spores producing the infection. A prospective case series conducted at the department of pathology, KAMSRC ‘between’ May 1to September 30th 2021 with a study population of 27 cases. Variables included age, gender, and history of covid, duration and development of symptoms, Clinical presentation, clinical diagnosis, co-morbidities, histopathological examination and microbiological correlation. The most prevalent isolated agent is Mucor (48.1%) followed by Rhizopus (18.5%), Aspergillus (11.1%) and mixed mucor with aspergillus (11.1%).A prospective case series conducted at the department of pathology, KAMSRC, reported 27 cases of post covid-19 Mucormycosis aged 30-68 years. Clinical features at presentation included unilateral facial pain with proptosis (80%), loss of vision, headache, nasal crusting, Cough with dyspnea and mild fever. All cases were admitted in ICU with severity in symptoms with 7 deaths recorded during treatment (25.9%). Immunofluorescence with Robin blue/Calcofluor white stainfor fungal elements was also combined to highlight Mucor species.Fungal cultures were diagnostic for fungal elements obtained after 48hrs on Sabouraud’s/Potato dextrose agar(SDA/PDA). Three cases were negative for fungal elements withonly dense mixed inflammatory infiltrate admixed necrosis. Correlation with KOH mount & fungal culture on SDA/PDA showed 13 cases of mucor, 5 cases of rhizopus, 3 cases of aspergillus & 2 cases of mucor with aspergillus growth, 3 cases were negative with no fungal growth. Also correlated with the microbiology department where nasal crusting and nasal tissue was obtained for fungal elements for KOH wet mount and fungal culture. KOH wet mount microscopy revealed Broad aseptate hyphae with wide angle branching suggestive of Mucormycosis. Simultaneous analytical study of CBP showed raised total WBC counts in 4 individuals (19,620-24,670 cumm) with others having normal CBC.CRP was in the range of 32-68mg/dl with ESR 35-98 mm/hr. : Understanding the mechanism of host innate immunity and specific preventive strategies are important for favorable prognosis. Histopathological examination aids in early diagnosis of Mucormycosis.

Does combined individualized orofacial manual therapy, pain neuroscience education, and brain training change orofacial pain, chronic face dysfunction, (facial) body perception and pain? An observational mixed methods case series study

ABSTRACT Background Orofacial pain is a complex disabling condition. Multimodal physical therapy intervention may be helpful, yet studies of such approaches are not available and are the basis of this study. Objective To identify whether combined orofacial manual therapy, pain neuroscience education, graded motor imagery, and face emotional expression training has an impact on orofacial pain and associated features. Design Mixed-methods case series report Methods Eight subjects (five females) with predominant chronic unilateral face pain (mean duration 7.3 years) were given six individualized treatment sessions and a home program. The primary outcome was orofacial pain, while secondary outcomes were depression, quality of life, alexithymia, 2-point discrimination (TPD), laterality and emotional recognition, as well as qualitative analysis were evaluated post intervention. Results Following the intervention orofacial pain intensity significantly reduced (p = 0.03) from 3.0 (0.53) to 2.2 (1.75) on the Graded Chronic Pain Status questionnaire. As well, secondary outcome measures depression, alexithymia, TPD, and quality of life also significantly improved. Changes were not significant in aspects of facial perception. Qualitative analysis of perception of therapy is discussed. Conclusion Multimodal therapy had a positive outcome in terms of improvement in unilateral persistent facial pain, depression score, facial body perception and quality of life, and pain in people with chronic unilateral facial pain. Based on the qualitative analysis of their perception of the therapy, multimodal therapy had beneficial effects through increased motivation and joy to exercise.

Differential diagnosis of Costen's syndrome and cerebellopontine angle tumours

Relevance. Our study aimed to determine the main differential diagnosis criteria for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain dysfunction syndrome (temporomandibular disorders, Costen's syndrome) and cerebellopontine angle tumours.Materials and methods. We examined 22 people (19 women and three men), aged 21 to 74 years (mean age 37.2 ± 5.1 years), who presented to the prosthodontic clinic with facial pain.Results. The study proposed the following differential diagnostic criteria for TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome and brain tumors: different nature of pain, unilateral ear noise; distal displacement of the mandibular head diagnosed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as articular disc displacement (detected by MRI) in temporomandibular disorders. Unilateral facial burning pain indicated meningioma of the cerebellopontine angle, which head MRI confirmed.Conclusion. The proposed table for evaluating clinical and paraclinical study methods for patients with facial pain helps to differentiate the cause of pain properly and proceed with the optimal treatment method.

Association between Trigeminal Neuralgia and Multiple Sclerosis: Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe neuropathic unilateral facial pain affecting about 30% percent of the world population. Neuropathic pains are considered to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition causing demyelination and degeneration of axons in central nervous system. Objective: The objective of the study is to determine role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to find association between trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis. Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted for six months in Radiology Department of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from September 2020 to February 2021. Initially 250 patients were screened for multiple sclerosis. The study recruited a total of 35 patients of MS visited neuroradiology department, out of which 26 patients were enrolled in the study. The participants with age of 18 years and onward of both genders with definitive symptoms of TN with MS that is having unilateral TN pain (that is sharp shooting electric pulse like) lasting for up-to 2minutes precipitated with an environmental stimulus were included in the study. The patients (n=6) with bilateral MS with TN and cognitive disturbances (n=3) were excluded from the study. Results: The study recruited a total of 26 participants with MS related TN. The clinical examination didn’t show any difference between the three groups with the p-value less than 0.001. Age at the onset of MS was younger in patients with MS related sensory disturbances compared to other two groups, with p-value less than 0.05. The frequency of the affected side was different in all three groups with the p-value less than 0.05 as tested by Fischer exact test. Trigeminal reflex tests done for different components such as R1 and SP1 showed longer latency periods for the affected side after stimulation and unaffected side after stimulation with the mean of 14.2± 4.4 and 15.3±3.2, 16.3±4.2 and 17.4±5.2ms and p-value less than 0.001 as shown by Wilcoxon test. Conclusion: The study showed significant association between trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis with the greater efficacy of using MRI as imaging technique to find this association. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Trigeminal neuralgia

First bite syndrome treated with onabotulinumtoxin A injections

Background and OverviewFirst bite syndrome (FBS) is an orofacial pain condition characterized by moderate to severe unilateral facial pain associated with the first bite or taste of food. It is important that dentists and physicians be aware of patient history and examination findings commonly associated with FBS, as well as treatment options available for managing this condition. Case DescriptionDescribed here is a case of FBS arising in a 43-year-old man after partial parotidectomy for the treatment of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. His orofacial pain was being successfully treated by injection of onabotulinumtoxin A into the residual parotid tissue. Conclusions and Practical ImplicationsOnabotulinumtoxin A is a promising therapeutic option for FBS owing to its profound relief of pain and minimal reported adverse effects. Therefore, oral health care providers treating FBS should be aware of this option.

Burden of illness of trigeminal neuralgia among patients managed in a specialist center in England

BackgroundTrigeminal neuralgia (TN) causes severe episodic, unilateral facial pain and is initially treated with antiepileptic medications. For patients not responding or intolerant to medications, surgery is an option.MethodsIn order to expand understanding of the pain-related burden of illness associated with TN, a cross-sectional survey was conducted of patients at a specialist center that utilizes a multidisciplinary care pathway. Participants provided information regarding their pain experience and treatment history, and completed several patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures.ResultsOf 129 respondents, 69/128 (54%; 1 missing) reported no pain in the past 4 weeks. However, 84 (65%) respondents were on medications, including 49 (38%) on monotherapy and 35 (27%) on polytherapy. A proportion of patients had discontinued at least one medication in the past, mostly due to lack of efficacy (n = 62, 48%) and side effects (n = 51, 40%). A total of 52 (40%) patients had undergone surgery, of whom 30 had microvascular decompression (MVD). Although surgery, especially MVD, provided satisfactory pain control in many patients, 29% of post-surgical patients reported complications, 19% had pain worsen or stay the same, 48% were still taking pain medications for TN, and 33% reported new and different facial pain.ConclusionsIn most PRO measures, respondents with current pain interference had poorer scores than those without pain interference. In the Patient Global Impression of Change, 79% expressed improvement since beginning of treatment at this clinic. These results indicate that while the multidisciplinary approach can substantially alleviate the impact of TN, there remains an unmet medical need for additional treatment options.

M456 HEADACHE DISORDER AS A MIMIC OF ACUTE RHINOSINUSITIS

Unilateral facial pain is a common sequela of acute rhinosinusitis. Patients with atypical symptoms should prompt evaluation for an alternative etiology.

An internally validated diagnostic tool for acute invasive fungal sinusitis.

Acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS) is a potentially life-threatening diagnosis in immunocompromised patients. Identifying patients who could benefit from evaluation and intervention can be challenging for referring providers and otolaryngologists alike. We aimed to develop and validate an accessible diagnostic tool to estimate the probability of AIFS. Retrospective chart review from 1999 to 2017 identified all patients evaluated for possible AIFS at a tertiary care center. AIFS was diagnosed by pathologic confirmation of fungal tissue angioinvasion. Stepwise selection and univariate logistic regression were used to screen risk factors for a multivariable predictive model. Model performance was assessed using Tukey's goodness-of-fit test and the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC). Model coefficients were internally validated using bootstrapping with 1000 iterations. A total of 283 patients (244 negative controls, 39 with AIFS) were included. Risk factors in our final diagnostic model included: fever ≥38°C (log-odds ratio [LOR] 1.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 2.90), unilateral facial swelling, pain, or erythema (LOR 2.84; 95% CI, 1.46 to 4.23), involvement of the orbit or pterygopalatine fossa on imaging (LOR 3.02; 95% CI, 1.78 to 4.26), and mucosal necrosis seen on endoscopy (LOR 5.52; 95% CI, 3.81 to 7.24), with p < 0.01 for all factors. The model had adequate goodness of fit (p > 0.05) and discrimination (AUC = 0.96). We present an internally validated diagnostic tool to stratify the risk for AIFS. The estimated risk may help determine which patients can be observed with serial nasal endoscopy, which ones could be biopsied, and which ones would benefit from immediate surgical intervention.

Imaging of orofacial pain.

Orofacial pain is a common complaint, with an estimated 75% of cases caused by dental disease, specifically a diseased pulp. A small percentage of orofacial pain cases will require specialist referral most commonly to oral medicine specialists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons from a dental perspective, or otolaryngologists or neurologists from a medical perspective. Following a thorough history and clinical examination, imaging is often required to narrow the differential diagnosis or answer a specific query related to the final diagnosis. A range of imaging modalities can be used to evaluate orofacial pain including dental panoramic tomography (DPT), intraoral radiographs, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. This paper provides a guideline outlining imaging protocols for categories of facial pain divided into: (a) unilateral odontalgia; (b) unilateral facial pain; (c) combined unilateral odontalgia and facial pain; (d) trigeminal neuralgia; (e) trigeminal neuropathic pain with or without other sensory, autonomic or motor features; (f) temporomandibular joint disorders and associated pain; (g) referred pain and (h) non-specific orofacial pain. Imaging for orofacial pain should be tailored to answer a specific query related to the aetiology of the reported pain. This should result in a specific diagnosis or narrowing of the differential diagnosis as possible causes of orofacial pain are eliminated. Choosing the correct imaging modality and protocol based on the pain category is important for efficient and effective pain diagnosis and management.

Temporal tendinosis: A cause of chronic orofacial pain.

Diverse musculoskeletal disorders and neuropathic symptoms of the face pose significant diagnostic challenges. In particular, temporal tendinosis is generally overlooked in the medical and dental literature and is therefore a poorly understood topic and often problematic cause of chronic orofacial pain. In this article, we explore temporal tendinosis as a cause of unresolved orofacial pain by reviewing the complex anatomy of the temporalis muscle, common presentations of temporal tendinosis, possible etiologies for injury and place a strong emphasis on required diagnostic evaluation and clinical management. Temporal tendinosis remains under diagnosed due to a combination of anatomical complexity and incomplete description in the majority of general anatomy medical textbooks. The two main presentations are unilateral facial pain with or without temporal headache and pain radiating from the distal temporalis tendon to the temporalis muscle. Diagnosis should be made with a combination of focused history, physical examination and specialised imaging, preferably with ultrasound but with MRI an alternate option. While many management options are available, optimal treatment remains unclear. Temporal tendinosis is an under-recognised and under-treated condition. Despite the fact that orofacial pain is one of the single most common complaints of patients presenting to physicians or dentists, it is widely acknowledged that training for diagnosis and manage of temporal tendinopathy among primary care physicians in both medical and dental professions is inadequate. This may result in extensive workups, leading to suboptimal management and chronic pain syndromes.