Affiliations: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, 4141 Shore Drive, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Sheryl D. Katta-Charles, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, 4141 Shore Drive, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Office: 317 329 2200; Tel.: +1 630 806 9793; Fax: +1 317 329 2360; E-mail: Sheryl.katta-charles@rhin.com.
Abstract: While non-headache, non-oral craniofacial neuralgia is relatively rare in incidence and prevalence, it can result in debilitating pain. Understanding the relevant anatomy of peripheral branches of nerves, natural history, clinical presentation, and management strategies will help the clinician better diagnose and treat craniofacial neuralgias. This article will review the nerves responsible for neuropathic pain in periorbital, periauricular, and occipital regions, distinct from idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. The infratrochlear, supratrochlear, supraorbital, lacrimal, and infraorbital nerves mediate periorbital neuralgia. Periauricular neuralgia may involve the auriculotemporal nerve, the great auricular nerve, and the nervus intermedius. The greater occipital nerve, lesser occipital nerve, and third occipital nerve transmit occipital neuralgias. A wide range of treatment options exist, from modalities to surgery, and the evidence behind each is reviewed.
Keywords: Craniofacial neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, great auricular nerve, lesser occipital nerve, third occipital nerve, occipital neuralgia
