Role of patient history and physical examination in the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia.
The diagnosis of facial pain has been a source of confusion for neuroscientists and primary care givers alike. The profusion of various subtypes, differential syndromes, and confusing nomenclature is silent testimony to this dilemma. The author presents a simple scheme with which to arrive at the diagnosis. The use of the patient's history, confirmed by the physical examination, can be supplemented with some of the tests described herein.
Casey
Kenneth F
KF
Peter J. Jannetta Center for Cranial Nerve Disorders, Drexel University College of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212., USA. mbirgele@wpahs.org
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology