Paroxysmal hemifacial pain: A report of two cases

Paroxysmal hemifacial pain (PHFP) is the orofacial counterpart to paroxysmal hemicrania headaches. This paper reports the cases of two patients suffering from episodic attacks of severe unilateral facial pain. In both cases, pain attacks were absolutely responsive to therapeutic doses of indomethacin. Both patients were diagnosed with PHFP, as per the International Classification of Orofacial Pain diagnostic guidelines. The diagnosis of PHFP, and a trial of indomethacin, must be considered in cases of severe unilateral facial pains not clearly explained by more common diagnoses.