title: Quantitative sensory testing in gynaecology: improving preoperative and postoperative pain diagnosis.
abstract: Chronic pelvic pain presents difficulties for women suffering its complex presentation. It also presents difficulties for clinicians involved in diagnosing and managing the problem. We review here clinically relevant information related to visceral pathology and its association with peripheral and central aspects of pain hypersensitivity. We address why surgery appears to be successful in some cases but less than successful in others, and what cautionary indicators should be taken into account. A categorization of chronic pelvic pain based on our understanding of pain physiology and mechanisms involved is proposed. The benefits of multidimensional sensory and pain testing in gynaecological care are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Calgary, Calgary AB.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jarrell
authors.affiliation: Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arendt-Nielsen
mesh_terms: D003944:Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012677:Sensation
keywords: pelvic pain; sensitization; testing