Continuous Neuropathic Pain Secondary to Endoscopic Procedures: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 2016-08, Vol.122 (2), p.e55-e59
• Main Authors: Kalladka, Mythili, BDS, MSD, Nasri Heir, Cibele, DMD, MSD, Eliav, Eli, DMD, PhD, Ananthan, Sowmya, DMD, MSD, Viswanath, Archana, BDS, MSD, Heir, Gary, DMD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Amines - therapeutic use; Analgesics - therapeutic use; Clonazepam - therapeutic use; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids - therapeutic use; Dentistry; Drug Therapy, Combination; GABA Modulators - therapeutic use; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - therapeutic use; Humans; Laryngoscopy - adverse effects; Male; Middle Aged; Neuralgia - drug therapy; Neuralgia - etiology; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Surgery
• ISSN: 2212-4403; 2212-4411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2016.05.012

Abstract Neuropathic pain encompasses a spectrum of conditions that can arise from a lesion or dysfunction of the central or the peripheral nervous system, and it may develop at variable intervals after nerve injury or inflammation. Nerve injuries arising from surgical procedures commonly occurs secondary to the surgical trauma, and in rare instances it is a complication of intubation during general anesthesia or endoscopic procedures. A series of two cases of bilateral glossopharyngeal neuropathic pain subsequent to endoscopic procedures is presented with a review of literature concerning the mechanisms of development of neuropathic pain following these procedures. The purpose of these case reports is to make the dentists aware of the occurrence, the mechanisms of nerve injuries, and the treatment of neuropathic pain following endoscopic procedures. In the first case, the patient had relief of pain with a combination therapy of clonazepam 1.0 mg in divided doses twice daily and gabapentin 300 mg in divided doses three times daily. In the second case, the patient had significant relief of pain with a monotherapy of gabapentin 1200 mg in divided doses three times daily.