Topical Review: A Unified Concept of Idiopathic Orofacial Pain:: Pathophysiologic Features
- Autores: Alain Woda, Paul Pionchon
- Localización: Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, ISSN-e 2333-0376, ISSN 2333-0384, Vol. 14, Nº. 3, 2000, págs. 196-212
- Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
Atypical facial pain, stomatodynia, atypical odontalgia, and some forms of masticatory muscle and temporomandibular joint disorders all seem to belong to the same group of idiopathic orofacial pain illnesses. The many common clinical features they display have been discussed in a preceding paper. Some of their common pathophysiologic mechanisms are reviewed in this article. The role of female hormones is suggested as a risk factor by the strong female prevalence and by the effects of physiologic and therapeutic modification of estrogen levels in patients with these pain conditions. Osteoporosis, which appears with menopause, and neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis have been linked to atypical facial pain. Similar clinical features have also prompted a comparison between atypical facial pain and complex regional pain syndrome of the limbs.
