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Neuralgia Unveiled

A comprehensive exploration of pain originating from nerve damage or dysfunction, delving into its causes, manifestations, and management strategies.

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Definition

Origin of the Term

The term "neuralgia" originates from the Greek words neuron (nerve) and algos (pain). It precisely describes pain that occurs within the anatomical distribution of a nerve or nerves.[1] This distinguishes it from other types of pain and highlights its neurological basis.

Characterizing Nerve Pain

Neuralgia is characterized by pain experienced along the pathway of a damaged or dysfunctional nerve. Examples include intercostal neuralgia (affecting nerves between the ribs) and trigeminal neuralgia (affecting the trigeminal nerve in the face).[1] It is important to differentiate neuralgia from neuropathic pain, which is a broader category encompassing pain arising from lesions or diseases of the somatosensory nervous system.

Classification

Diverse Manifestations

Neuralgia encompasses several distinct conditions, often categorized by the affected nerve or specific symptom presentation. Understanding these classifications is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN)

This condition affects the trigeminal nerve, responsible for facial sensation. It typically presents as short, excruciating episodes of sharp, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain, usually unilateral, triggered by simple stimuli like touch or chewing. The pain can be described as intense and debilitating.[2]

Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia (ATN)

ATN is a rarer, often misdiagnosed form. Symptoms can be more varied, including constant aching, burning sensations, and migraine-like headaches affecting all three trigeminal branches. Pain may worsen with facial expressions, chewing, or even a cool breeze. Potential causes include vascular compression of the nerve, infections, or trauma.[2]

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

This rare neuralgia affects the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), causing recurrent, severe pain in the throat, tonsil area, back of the tongue, and ear. It typically occurs after age 40, more often in men. Causes can be unknown, but may involve nerve compression by an artery or, rarely, a tumor.[2]

Occipital Neuralgia

Also known as C2 neuralgia or Arnold's neuralgia, this condition is characterized by chronic pain in the upper neck, the back of the head, and behind the eyes. It stems from irritation or inflammation of the occipital nerves.[Citation Needed]

Postherpetic Neuralgia

This type of neuralgia occurs as a complication of shingles (herpes zoster) or herpes infections. It involves persistent nerve pain following the initial rash, often described as burning, stabbing, or aching.[Citation Needed]

Mechanisms

Nerve Injury and Response

Neuralgia often arises from damage or injury to peripheral nerves. The nervous system's response to trauma can lead to hyperexcitability, a key factor in neuropathic pain and neuralgia.[3]

Cellular Changes Post-Injury

Following nerve trauma, an "injury discharge" of nerve impulses can occur, potentially initiating neuropathic pain.[4] If an axon is severed, the distal segment degenerates, while the proximal segment attempts regeneration. Aberrant reinnervation or neuroma formation (a mass of neurofibrils) can result if regeneration is impaired or misdirected, leading to persistent pain signals.[4]

Neuroplasticity and Maladaptive Signaling

The nervous system's ability to adapt (neuroplasticity) can become maladaptive in cases of nerve injury. Damaged or degenerated neurons may send abnormal signals to the brain, which are then interpreted as pain, even in the absence of ongoing tissue damage.[4]

Diagnosis

Clinical Assessment

Diagnosing neuralgia relies heavily on a detailed patient history, including the description, location, intensity, and triggers of the pain. Standardized pain assessment questionnaires, such as the McGill Pain Questionnaire, can aid in quantifying the subjective experience.[5] A thorough physical examination assesses responses to various stimuli like touch, temperature, and vibration.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools

While clinical assessment is primary, specialized tests can provide further insights:

  • Laser Evoked Potentials (LEPs): Measure cortical responses to laser-stimulated thermonociceptors, potentially indicating damage to the central or peripheral nervous system.[6]
  • Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST): Systematically evaluates a patient's response to controlled mechanical and thermal stimuli to quantify sensory nerve function.[7]

Treatment response can also serve as a diagnostic tool to confirm the underlying mechanism of pain.[3]

Classification Codes

Neuralgia is classified under various medical coding systems:

  • ICD-10: M79.2
  • ICD-9-CM: 729.2
  • MeSH: D009437

Treatment

Pharmacological Approaches

Neuralgia often requires specialized medications due to its resistance to standard pain relievers. Effective treatments typically include:

  • Anticonvulsants: Medications like pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are specifically designed to block nerve firing and manage neuropathic pain.[Citation Needed]
  • Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), can also modulate pain pathways.[Citation Needed]

High doses of these medications are often necessary, and tricyclic antidepressants may also be employed.[8]

Surgical Interventions

When medications fail or cause intolerable side effects, surgical options may be considered. These aim to modulate or decompress the affected nerve:

  • Nerve Stimulation: Surgical placement of electrodes to stimulate the nerve, potentially altering pain signals sent to the brain.
  • Rhizotomy: Selective destruction of nerve fibers to block pain transmission.
  • Microvascular Decompression: Relocating blood vessels that may be compressing the affected nerve.

Potential risks associated with surgery include temporary or permanent numbness, recurrence of pain, hearing loss, balance issues, infection, and stroke.[10]

History

Evolution of Understanding

The term "neuralgia" emerged in the early 19th century, with French physician François Chaussier coining the term névralgie in 1801 to describe intermittent, intense nerve pain.[11] Throughout the 19th century, the understanding of its location and cause evolved significantly.

Early theories proposed lesions in nerve roots, ganglia, trunks, or even the brain and spinal cord.[13] Some physicians attributed neuralgia to general ill health or "morbid sensibility," while others linked it to specific organs or emotional distress.[13] The concept has continuously been refined as medical understanding advanced.

Culture & Representation

In Literature and Film

Neuralgia has appeared in various cultural works, often depicted as a debilitating condition or a convenient ailment used for dramatic effect:

  • In R. C. Sherriff's play Journey's End, a character feigns neuralgia to avoid combat duty.[17]
  • Marcel Proust's Swann's Way mentions the narrator's father suffering from neuralgia.[18]
  • The film Aces High features a pilot simulating neuralgia to escape the dangers of aerial warfare.[19]
  • Vladimir Nabokov's novel Look at the Harlequins! includes a character claiming to have neuralgia of the jaw.[20]

References

Source Material

The information presented on this page is derived from the following sources:

  1. "IASP Terminology: neuralgia". International Association for the Study of Pain. Retrieved 15 Nov 2023.
  2. Gilron, I.; Watson, C. P. N.; Cahill, C. M.; Moulin, D. E. (2006). "Neuropathic pain: a practical guide for the clinician". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 175 (3): 265–275. PMC 1513412. PMID 16880448.
  3. Jensen, T. S. (2002). "An improved understanding of neuropathic pain". European Journal of Pain. 6 (Supplement). London: 3–11. doi:10.1016/S1090-3801(02)90002-9. PMID 23570142. S2CID 12760893.
  4. P. Prithvi Raj (14 June 2000). Practical Management of Pain. Mosby. ISBN 978-0-8151-2569-3.
  5. Melzack, R. (1975). "The McGill Questionnaire: Major Properties and Scoring Methods". Pain. 1 (3): 277–299. doi:10.1016/0304-3959(75)90044-5. PMID 1235985. S2CID 20562841.
  6. Garcia-Larrea, L. (2008). "Laser-evoked potentials in the diagnosis of central neuropathic pain". Douleur et Analgésie. 21 (2): 93–98. doi:10.1007/s11724-008-0092-5. S2CID 70895743.
  7. Daniel, H. C.; Narewska, J.; Serpell, M.; Hoggart, B.; Johnson, R.; Rice, A. S. C. (2008). "Comparison of psychological and physical function in neuropathic pain and nociceptive pain: Implications for cognitive behavioral pain management programs". European Journal of Pain. 12 (6): 731–741. doi:10.1016/j.ejpain.2007.11.006. PMID 18164225. S2CID 28750350.
  8. Stechison, Michael. Personal INTERVIEW. 18 November 2008.
  9. Galer, B. S. (1995). "Neuropathic pain of peripheral origin: Advances in pharmacologic treatment". Neurology. 45 (129): S17 – S25. doi:10.1212/WNL.45.12_Suppl_9.S17. PMID 8538882. S2CID 38518116.
  10. Dworkin, R. H.; Backonja, M.; Rowbotham, M. C.; Allen, R. R.; Argoff, C. R.; Bennett, GJ; Bushnell, MC; Farrar, JT; et al. (2003). "Advances in neuropathic pain - Diagnosis, mechanisms, and treatment recommendations". Archives of Neurology. 60 (11): 1524–1534. doi:10.1001/archneur.60.11.1524. PMID 14623723.
  11. Murray JAH. Bradley H; Craigie WA; Onions CT (1933). Oxford English Dictionary. Clarendon Press.
  12. Richard Rowland (1838). A treatise on neuralgia. p. 3. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  13. Alam C & Merskey H (1994). "What's in a name? The cycle of change in the meaning of neuralgia". History of Psychiatry. 5 (20): 429–474. doi:10.1177/0957154x9400502001. PMID 11639457. S2CID 11856642.
  14. Warren JC (19 February 1928). "Cases of neuralgia or painful afflictions of the nerves". Boston Med. Surg. J. (i): 1–6.
  15. Graham TJ (1928). Treatise on indigestion. London: W. Joy. pp. 256–7.
  16. Teale TP (1830). A treatise on neuralgic diseases. Philadelphia: E. L. Carey & A. Hart.
  17. Sherriff, Robert Cedric (1983). Journey's end. Harmondsworth: Penguin. pp. 53–58. ISBN 0-14-118326-8.
  18. Proust, Marcel (1913–1927). "Overture". Swann's Way. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-14-118058-8. "my father...had begun to suffer from neuralgia..."
  19. Aces High. 1976. Event occurs at 12:39.
  20. Nabokov, Vladimir (1974). "5". Look at the Harlequins!.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Neuralgia Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not medical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition like neuralgia. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.