Journal of oral & facial pain and headache
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J Oral Facial Pain Headache · Jan 2017
ReviewTopical Review: Potential Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Management of Painful Posttraumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy.
Painful posttraumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PPTTN) is a chronic condition that is difficult to endure and has a poorly understood pathophysiology. Treatment options are limited and often unsatisfactory due to insufficient efficacy and significant adverse effects. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), initially used in the management of pathologically sustained or twisting muscular contractions, has recently been advocated for treatment of neuropathic pain. ⋯ When injected into the painful location, the toxin can be taken up by peripheral terminals of nociceptive afferent nerve fibers, and this action suppresses peripheral and central release of algogenic neurotransmitters such as glutamate or substance P, thus promoting analgesia. Several randomized controlled trials in humans have provided emerging evidence for the therapeutic use of BTX-A in neuropathic pain states, including trigeminal neuralgia. This evidence, in addition to its good safety profile and long-lasting effect, suggests that BTX-A could be a potential novel treatment for PPTTN.
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J Oral Facial Pain Headache · Jan 2017
Systematic Mapping of Pressure Pain Thresholds of the Masseter and Temporalis Muscles and Assessment of Their Diversity Through the Novel Application of Entropy.
To assess the diversity of pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) within the masseter and temporalis muscles by using the novel concept of entropy and to assess the differences in PPT scores between different sites of the masseter and temporalis muscles. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that the anatomical layout of the masseter and temporalis muscles has implications for mechanical pain sensitivity and that areas have different sensitivities within these muscles. Furthermore, reference values for the entropy of PPTs in healthy individuals have been estimated, and comparing these values with those of patients with muscle-related pain conditions can provide quantitative information about the spatial heterogeneity of mechanical pain sensitivity, which may be a valuable clinical outcome measure.