Overview
Neuropathic pain
arises as a consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory
pathway of the peripheral and/or central nervous system (CNS), as stated in the
Introduction section.
The prevalence of neuropathic pain varies due
to its multiple etiologies and presentations. A detailed discussion about the
prevalence of neuropathic pain is in the Epidemiology
section.
Neuropathic pain can
result from several conditions and is enumerated in the Etiology section.
The Pathophysiology section
states that the mechanisms involved in neuropathic pain include sensory nerve
conduction blockage, which causes nerve dysfunction and leads to sensory
impairment (e.g., numbness). The development process of neuropathic pain is in
this section.
The Risk
Factors section discusses the
conditions that may predispose an individual to the development of neuropathic
pain.
The Classification section
explains and enumerates the different common neuropathic pain syndromes.
Neuropathic Pain_Disease SummaryHistory and Physical Examination
The History and Physical
Examination sections describe the importance of a thorough
history and physical examination in confirming the presence and reaching an
etiologic diagnosis for neuropathic pain.
The Screening section
discusses the screening tools and assessment questionnaires to identify
potential patients with neuropathic pain. The clinical neurophysiology and
electrodiagnostic tests used in the evaluation of neuropathic pain are also
discussed in this section.
Diagnosis
Discussions on skin
biopsy and other tests to identify other causes of neuropathies are in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries
section.
The Imaging section explains the different diagnostic
imaging tests needed in the evaluation of patients with neuropathic pain.
Other conditions that should be ruled out in
the diagnosis of neuropathic pain are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.
Management
General therapy principles in the management
of neuropathic pain are in the Principles of
Therapy section.
The Pharmacological
Therapy section discusses in detail the treatment options for
patients with central neuropathic pain, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy,
postherpetic neuralgia, and trigeminal neuralgia.
The Nonpharmacological section
includes things to educate the patient and other approaches in the management
of neuropathic pain.
Surgical techniques that may be considered in
the treatment of neuropathic pain are in the Surgery
section.
