Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 120, Issue 3, 315-320
Copyright © 1990 by American Dental Association
Multifactorial facial pain--differential diagnosis: a case report
WC Donlon,
H Kaplan,
B Javid,
M Harness,
P Shultz,
H Rome,
R Hwang,
and
E Santucci
Facial Pain Research Center, University of the Pacific, San Francisco 94115.
A multidisciplinary algology team was formed to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of complex head and neck pain disorders. The standard patient evaluation includes a history and physical, surface electromyography, Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), brief psychiatric interview, dental/occlusal analysis, a postural/musculoskeletal examination; and necessary diagnostic imaging. Clinicians meet in conference after each clinic session. Organic and psychiatric findings are compiled and a differential diagnosis is made. Treatment recommendations are outlined and a review of the evaluation and the therapeutic plan are forwarded to the referring doctor. A typical conference discussion is presented here.
