Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
09:35

Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain

Published on: May 10, 2017

19.5K

Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain Associated with Somatoform Disorder in an 11-Year-Old Boy

Yoshihiko Sakurai1, Asami Fujii2,3, Fumie Kato2,4

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Matsubara Tokushukai Hospital, 7-13-26 Amami-higashi, Matsubara, Osaka 580-0032, Japan.

Case Reports in Psychiatry
|March 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) in children is rare. This case highlights the potential psychogenic factors and the effectiveness of psychological counseling in managing PIFP symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) is a chronic condition rarely diagnosed in pediatric patients.
  • Facial pain in children can be misdiagnosed, often initially treated for infections like cellulitis.

Observation:

  • An 11-year-old boy presented with recurrent facial pain after a streptococcal infection, initially suspected as trigeminal neuralgia (TN).
  • Diagnostic imaging ruled out vascular compression typical of TN, and the pain's continuous, dull nature differed from TN's sharp, episodic pain.
  • The patient experienced significant functional impairment, including school absence due to malaise, nausea, headache, and anorexia.

Findings:

  • The diagnosis shifted to PIFP after excluding TN and other organic causes.
  • Psychological assessment revealed significant stress related to the patient's social environment.
  • Psychotherapy focusing on stress management led to gradual improvement in the patient's general malaise and facial expression.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering psychogenic factors in pediatric PIFP.
  • Psychological counseling and stress management techniques can be valuable therapeutic tools for managing PIFP.
  • Early identification of psychosocial contributors may improve treatment outcomes and functional recovery in children with facial pain.

More Related Videos

Chronic Constriction Injury of the Rat's Infraorbital Nerve IoN-CCI to Study Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain10:52

Chronic Constriction Injury of the Rat's Infraorbital Nerve IoN-CCI to Study Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain

Published on: September 21, 2015

20.7K
Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram09:00

Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram

Published on: July 7, 2023

4.4K

Related Concept Videos

Facial Feedback Hypothesis01:24

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role...
651
Muscles for Facial Expressions01:14

Muscles for Facial Expressions

The craniofacial muscles are a collection of approximately 20 thin skeletal muscles situated beneath the skin of the face and scalp. These muscles, primarily responsible for the vast array of human facial expressions, originate from the bones or fibrous structures of the skull and extend outwards to connect with the skin. While most skeletal muscles in the body are enveloped in thick fascia, facial muscles generally have a more delicate fascial covering, with the buccinator muscle being a...
4.8K
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins02:18

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

Intrinsically disordered proteins are a group of proteins that do not fold into specific three-dimensional structures. Their structural flexibility allows them to complement ordered proteins to perform functions that are inaccessible to rigid structures. They are more common in eukaryotes than prokaryotes and may either be exclusively intrinsically disordered or hybrid proteins, consisting of a mix of ordered and disordered regions. The absence of a rigid structure in these proteins can be...
19.4K
Pain01:20

Pain

Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
1.4K
Other Disorders of Digestive System01:30

Other Disorders of Digestive System

The gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to various disorders. If the lower esophageal sphincter is damaged, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the lining. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as heartburn) and may cause chest pain and difficulty swallowing. In the stomach, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, chronic alcohol consumption, bacterial infections such as Helicobacter...
1.5K
Disorders of Erythrocytes01:27

Disorders of Erythrocytes

Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
2.2K