Atypical Facial Pain

Abstract

Atypical facial pain (AFP), or persistent idiopathic facial pain, is a chronic and diffuse distribution of facial pain along the territory of the trigeminal nerve. This condition occurs in the absence of any neurologic deficit or any other obvious etiology. AFP is one of the most challenging conditions to diagnose due to lack of clear diagnostic criteria. Diagnosis of this condition is made by exclusion of other known etiologies. Specific disease modalities cannot be targeted, resulting in a deficiency of clear treatment protocol. Despite the limitations of evidence-based literature, tricyclic antidepressants have proved effective and are considered the treatment choice for AFP.

Keywords: AFP; Atypical facial pain; PIFP; Persistent idiopathic facial pain.