title: Diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain.
abstract: Currently, no consensus on the optimal management of neuropathic pain exists and practices vary greatly worldwide. Possible explanations for this include difficulties in developing agreed diagnostic protocols and the coexistence of neuropathic, nociceptive and, occasionally, idiopathic pain in the same patient. Also, neuropathic pain has historically been classified according to its etiology (e.g., painful diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, spinal cord injury) without regard for the presumed mechanism(s) underlying the specific symptoms. A combined etiologic/mechanistic classification might improve neuropathic pain management. The treatment of neuropathic pain is largely empirical, often relying heavily on data from small, generally poorly-designed clinical trials or anecdotal evidence. Consequently, diverse treatments are used, including non-invasive drug therapies (antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs and membrane stabilizing drugs), invasive therapies (nerve blocks, ablative surgery), and alternative therapies (e.g., acupuncture). This article reviews the current and historical practices in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain, and focuses on the USA, Europe and Japan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, and The Medway Hospital, Gillingham, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: M Sam
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Zahid H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Bajwa
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010146:Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents