[Neuralgic neuropathies--complex pathogenesis and therapy. Trigeminal neuralgia--neuralgic shoulder amyotrophy--post-herpetic neuralgia].

A wide spectrum of manifestations and causes makes the diagnosis of neuralgic neuropathies difficult. In most cases, however, clinical and/or electrophysiological signs of a peripheral nerve disorder can be established. The pathomechanisms underlying pain are complex and not fully understood. They are not limited to the site of a lesion, but encompass the entire peripheral neurone, and may even involve the central neurones. Pathobiological correlates of chronic pain have been identified to involve the entire pain-mediating neuronal pathway.