Less known non-infectious and neuromusculoskeletal system-originated anterolateral neck and craniofacial pain disorders

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Aug 13. [Epub ahead of print]

Aydil U, Kizil Y, Köybaşioğlu A.

Source

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Gazi Ün. Tıp. Fak. KBB A.D., Beşevler, 06500, Ankara, Turkey, utkuaydil@yahoo.com.

Abstract

Pain syndromes of neuromusculoskeletal origin are not well-known by most of the clinicians working on head and neck area. As a result, most of the patients with these syndromes are either overlooked without having any treatment or they inappropriately have antibiotic treatments or surgical interventions such as dental extractions and tonsillectomies. Better recognition of the pain syndromes of the neck and face region or entities related to neuromusculoskeletal system may result in more appropriate and effective management of such conditions while avoiding unnecessary medical and surgical treatments. In this review, causes, clinical characteristics, diagnostic and treatment modalities of relatively less known craniofacial and neck painentities including Eagle syndrome, carotidynia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, superior laryngeal neuralgia, hyoid bone syndrome, acute calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis, temporal tendinitis, thyroid and cricoid cartilage syndromes, and mastoid process syndrome are summarized.

Headache during airplane travel (“airplane headache”): first case in Greece

The Journal of Headache and Pain
Official Journal of the "European Headache Federation" and of "Lifting The Burden - The Global Campaign against Headache"
Evangelia Kararizou¹ , Evangelos Anagnostou¹, George P. Paraskevas¹, Sofia D. Vassilopoulou¹, Dimitrios Naoumis², Grigoris Kararizos² and Konstantinos Spengos¹

(1)	Department of Neurology, Athens National University, Eginition Hospital, 72-74 Vas.Sofias av., 11528 Athens, Greece

(2)	Neurological Department, 251 Air Force Hospital, Athens, Greece

Evangelia Kararizou Email: ekarariz@med.uoa.gr

Received: 21 February 2011  Accepted: 22 March 2011  Published online: 6 April 2011

Abstract  

Headache related to airplane flights is rare. We describe a 37-year-old female patient with multiple intense, jabbing headache episodes over the last 3 years that occur exclusively during airplane flights. The pain manifests during take-off and landing, and is located always in the left retro-orbital and frontotemporal area. It is occasionally accompanied by dizziness, but no additional symptoms occur. Pain intensity diminishes and disappears after 15–20 min. Apart from occasional dizziness, no other symptoms occur. The patient has a history of tension-type headache and polycystic ovaries. Blood tests and imaging revealed no abnormalities. Here, we present the first case in Greece. We review the current literature on this rare syndrome and discuss on possible pathophysiology and the investigation of possible co-factors such as anxiety and depression.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/t86630777t603224/fulltext.html

Free Full Text (Open Access): 

Treatment of neuropathic pain with 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster: Five years of clinical experience

	July/August 2011, Volume 16 Issue 4: 259-262
C Delorme, M Navez, V Legout, R Deleens, D Moyse BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain is often severe and adversely affects patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To perform a retrospective, observational study investigating the efficacy and safety of treating refractory chronic neuropathic pain with 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster, in patients attending pain centres. METHODS: Medical records from 467 patients treated with 5% lidocaine- medicated plaster were evaluated for efficacy (maximum and minimum pain intensities and coanalgesic consumption) and adverse events. Data from an initial assessment and at least one follow-up visit had to be available, and separate analyses were conducted for the general population and the subpopulation older than 70 years of age. RESULTS: Of the patients enrolled, 25.0% were older than 70 years of age. While 20.6% had postherpetic neuralgia, 76.3% had other types of peripheral pain. Approximately 78.1% of cases of peripheral neuropathic pain followed surgery, and 23% were post-traumatic pain. The time from onset to referral was more than one year in two- thirds of cases. All patients experienced pain of at least moderate severity (mean [± SD] 11-point numerical rating scale score 5.2±2.4 to 8.2±1.6). Treatment with 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster reduced pain intensity by more than 50% in 45.5% of patients, and by at least 30% in 82.2%. Of note, the consumption of analgesics and coanalgesics was significantly reduced. Results were similar in both the general population and the subpopulation older than 70 years of age, at high risk and often receiving multiple medications. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of refractory neuropathic pain with 5% lidocaine-medicated plaster clearly demonstrated efficacy and an excellent safety profile in patients with refractory neuropathic pain.