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Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain

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Handbook of Headache

Abstract

Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain (PIFP) is a moderate or severe continuous pain disorder in the facial region. The pain is usually deep and poorly localized, and the quality is of burning, cramping, or dull quality. The incidence is estimated to 2–4 per 100,000 but exact epidemiological data are lacking. Persistent idiopathic facial pain is a difficult diagnostic group compared to other pain categories and symptomatic causes must always be sought. The underlying pathophysiology is yet unknown and therapy is widely unspecific and ineffective. The existing literature is reviewed and summarized, the possible differential diagnoses are listed, and the existing treatment strategies are presented. The optimal outcome is achieved by a multidisciplinary approach focusing on a combination of symptomatic medication, patient education, cognitive therapy, and coping strategies. In conclusion, patients with PIFP remain a complicated group to diagnose and to treat. The scientific evidence for a specific entity, a clear pathophysiological mechanism and effective treatment strategies are still lacking. Further field testing and clinical characterizations of these severely affected patients are highly needed and the noncommittal title Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain is preferable until further evidence is available.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Danish Headache Centre and Department of Neurology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Nordre Ringvej, 2600, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Dr. Rigmor Jensen

  2. Neurology Department, Athens Naval Hospital, 77A Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11521, Athens, Greece

    Dr. Dimos D. Mitsikostas

  3. Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Dr. Christian Wöber

Authors
  1. Dr. Rigmor Jensen
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  2. Dr. Dimos D. Mitsikostas
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  3. Dr. Christian Wöber
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rigmor Jensen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Paolo Martelletti

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Timothy J. Steiner

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Timothy J. Steiner

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© 2011 Lifting The Burden

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Jensen, R., Mitsikostas, D.D., Wöber, C. (2011). Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain. In: Martelletti, P., Steiner, T.J. (eds) Handbook of Headache. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1700-9_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1700-9_40

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1699-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1700-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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