Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common and exceptionally drug-resistant neuropathic pain condition. In this cross-sectional skin biopsy study, seeking information on the responsible pathophysiological mechanisms we assessed how ophthalmic PHN affects sensory and autonomic skin innervation. We took 2-mm supraorbital punch skin biopsies from the affected and unaffected sides in 10 patients with...

There is increasing interest in using neurostimulation to treat headache disorders. There are now several non-invasive and invasive stimulation devices available with some open-label series and small controlled trial studies that support their use. Non-invasive stimulation options include supraorbital stimulation (Cefaly), vagus nerve stimulation (gammaCore) and single-pulse transcranial magnet...

Although local anesthesia usually is used in surgical procedures, field or nerve blocks can provide more effective anesthesia in some situations. In a field block, local anesthetic is infiltrated around the border of the surgical field, leaving the operative area undisturbed. In field blocks, epinephrine may be added to the anesthetic to enhance vasoconstriction and prolong the duration of anes...

A series of 53 cases of primary hemifacial spasm have been evaluated by means of blink reflexes and their results compared with a normal control group. Reflex responses were obtained by percutaneous electrical stimulus of both the supraorbital nerve (trigemino-facial reflex), and the facial nerve at the stylo-mastoid region (facio-facial reflex). The R2 response was considered abnormal when its...

A 38-year-old Nigerian man, who had been living in Italy since 2008, presented with an annular lesion on the right temporal and frontal region that appeared two months prior to his visit. He reported a slow centrifugal enlargement of the lesion. The man complained about headache and pain radiating to the right frontal region. He was not taking any drugs. Physical examination disclosed an annula...

Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling disease. The drugs prescribed for migraine prophylaxis can have intolerable side effects or can be ineffective. Neuromodulation techniques are increasingly used in neurology. Transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation is effective in episodic migraine prevention, whereas vagus nerve stimulation provides interesting results in acute migraine therap...