Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain Originating from Cervical Abnormalities.

BACKGROUND

Persistent idiopathic facial pain is characterized by persistent facial or oral pain in the absence of a neurologic deficit. This underexplored pain may be conducted by various nerves, including cranial nerves and upper cervical spinal roots, and its etiology is unclear.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A patient presented with persistent idiopathic facial pain associated with occipital muscle stiffness after an improper neck massage. The patient achieved almost complete pain relief by coblation of right upper cervical nerves (C1 and C2 spinal roots) followed by continuous cervical epidural analgesia for a period of 3 weeks. The analgesic effect was stable during the 3-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent idiopathic facial pain may be cervicogenic, and treatments focusing on cervical spinal roots may provide satisfactory pain control in patients with cervical abnormalities.