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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
Trigeminofacial reflexes in primary headaches
A Proietti Cecchini1, G Sandrini, I V Fokin
1University Center for Adaptive Disorders and Headache, IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, Italy.
Abstract:
Nociceptive processing in trigeminal system is likely to undergo to significant changes in chronic pain disorders such as in primary headache. The electrophysiological testing of brainstem reflexes seems to offer a valuable adjunct to the clinical evaluation, providing direct evidence for central dysmodulation of sensory and pain neurotransmission, i.e. dishabituation pattern and reduced pain threshold. We review the contribution of trigeminofacial reflex studies in the light of those recent data supporting the view of a dysfunctional sensory processing in primary headache.
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