Infraorbital Nerve Block

Abstract

The infraorbital nerve is the terminal branch of the maxillary nerve. It may become entrapped at any point along the length of its course, usually as it exits the skull via the infraorbital foramen causing shock-like unilateral pain its distribution known as infraorbital neuralgia. The classical findings of infraorbital neuralgia include (1) Pain over upper cheek radiating to upper teeth, nose and upper eyelid usually described as sharp, tingling or electric-like; (2) Tenderness to pressure over infraorbital foramen with possible radiation of pain along the nerve distribution on the affected side; and (3) Symptoms may be exacerbated by smiling, laughing or excessive tension on the zygomatic muscles, possibly due to further compression of the infraorbital nerve.