How to Diagnose Neuropathic Pain? The Contribution from Clinical Examination, Pain Questionnaires and Diagnostic Tests

Overview

Journal Neurol Sci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2015 Sep 28

PMID 26410087

Citations 21

Authors

S La Cesa

S Tamburin

V Tugnoli

G Sandrini

S Paolucci

M Lacerenza

P Marchettini

G Cruccu

A Truini

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Patients with peripheral and central nervous system diseases may suffer from different types of pain, namely nociceptive, neuropathic and mixed pain. Although in some cases, the distinction between these types of pain is clinically evident, yet in some patients an accurate differential diagnosis requires dedicated clinical examination, screening questionnaires and diagnostic techniques some of which are available only in specialized pain centres. This review briefly addresses the currently agreed definitions of the different types of pain and shows how clinical examination, pain questionnaires and diagnostic tests can help the clinicians in identifying neuropathic pain.

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