title: [Quantitative Sensory Testing in the facial area: a review].
abstract: Quantitative Sensory Testing is an established method to evaluate somatosensory function. In the facial area, the procedures depend on the localisation of disorders and the modalities of interest. The test stimuli are of thermal or mechanical nature (touch, pain, vibration, or pressure stimuli). According to the protocol of the German Neuropathic Pain Network, comprehensive information on the function of afferent nerves can be generated in the facial area as well. Standard values have been obtained for the cheek and intraoral mucosa. For various orofacial pain conditions, studies concerning the somatosensory function are available. Changed functional patterns are not limited to neuropathic pain, but also occur in other orofacial pain conditions, indicating, for example, central sensitisation. The standardised collection of QST parameters may improve the understanding of the pathophysiology of orofacial pain and effect therapeutic approaches. Comprehensive studies may lead to the development of specific screenings that are feasible in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Mund-, Zahn-, Kieferklinik, Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Heidelberg. lydia1.eberhard@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eberhard
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D017271:Craniomandibular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005145:Face / Q000294:innervation*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Orofacial pain; Orofazialer Schmerz; neurologic examination; neurologische Untersuchung; neuropathic pain; neuropathischer Schmerz; quantitative sensorische Testung; quantitative sensory testing; sensorische Schwellen; sensory thresholds