Auriculotemporal Neuralgia
Auriculotemporal neuralgia is a rare craniofacial pain syndrome characterized by paroxysmal, moderate to severe pain in the preauricular area, often radiating to the ipsilateral temple. This condition involves the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN), a branch of the mandibular nerve (third division of the trigeminal nerve).[1][2]
Clinical Features
Clinically, patients typically present with strictly unilateral pain that can be triggered by pressing the preauricular area. The pain may be accompanied by nerve tenderness and can manifest as background dull pain with intermittent burning exacerbations. The diagnosis is often confirmed through the patient's history and physical examination, with nerve blockade serving as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.[3]
Management
Treatment options for auriculotemporal neuralgia include pharmacological and interventional approaches. Gabapentin has been shown to provide complete relief in some cases. Anesthetic nerve blockade, often with lidocaine and dexamethasone, is another effective treatment modality. For refractory cases, botulinum toxin type A has been reported to offer significant pain relief.[4][5]
References
- ā Speciali, Jose Geraldo; GonƧalves, Daniela Aparecida Godoi (2005-08). "Auriculotemporal neuralgia". Current Pain and Headache Reports (in English). 9 (4): 277ā280. doi:10.1007/s11916-005-0037-0. ISSN 1531-3433. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ā Ruiz, M.; Porta-Etessam, J.; Garcia-Ptacek, S.; de la Cruz, C.; Cuadrado, M.L.; Guerrero, A.L. (2016-09). "Auriculotemporal Neuralgia: Eight New Cases Report: Table 1". Pain Medicine (in English). 17 (9): 1744ā1748. doi:10.1093/pm/pnw016. ISSN 1526-2375. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ā Murayama, R. A.; StuginskiāBarbosa, J.; Moraes, N. P.; Speciali, J. G. (2009-09). "Toothache referred from auriculotemporal neuralgia: case report". International Endodontic Journal (in English). 42 (9): 845ā851. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.2009.01599.x. ISSN 0143-2885. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ā Pinto, Maria J.; Guerrero, Angel L.; Costa, Andreia (2021-02). "Botulinum toxin as a novel therapeutic approach for auriculotemporal neuralgia". Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain (in English). 61 (2): 392ā395. doi:10.1111/head.14043. ISSN 0017-8748. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ā Tereshko, Yan; Belgrado, Enrico; Lettieri, Christian; Gigli, Gian; Valente, Mariarosaria (2023-04-06). "Botulinum Toxin Type A for the Treatment of Auriculotemporal NeuralgiaāA Case Series". Toxins (in English). 15 (4): 274. doi:10.3390/toxins15040274. ISSN 2072-6651.
