Neurologic analysis of face pain.

Analysis of face pain is predicated on knowledge of the structures of the face, head, and neck that may generate this sensation. Of particular importance in this process are historical data; characteristics of the pain, as elicited in history taking, should lead to the definition of recognized syndromes that may threaten a patient's survival or function and for which appropriate intervention may bring relief. Among these syndromes are trigeminal neuralgia and neuropathy, cluster headache, cranial arteritis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and psychogenic face pain.