[Diagnostics and therapy of neuropathic pain]

Neuropathic pain is pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Scientific studies have shown that neuropathic pain is the result of complex altered signalling processes in the peripheral and central nervous system. Current forms of treatment of neuropathic pain are causally oriented but also aim at symptomatic analgesia by pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods. Furthermore, psychological pain management techniques are used in a supportive role. This review summarizes the contemporary diagnostics of neuropathic pain using frequent diseases as examples and presents the evidence from randomized controlled trials on the treatment of neuropathic pain. Treatment guidelines for pharmacological management of neuropathic pain include evidence-based use of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, capsaicin and lidocaine.