Facial pain is one the most distressing neurological symptoms and has many causes. It may be due to a tooth infection or sinusitis which is easy to treat. Some people however experience severe, intractable facial pain whose causes are often hard to diagnose. These people are sent from ‘pillar to post’ in a bid to establish a cause and effective remedy.
Which is why, Spire Bristol Hospital is introducing a dedicated Face Pain Clinic – staffed by an elite team of specialists skilled in the most troublesome forms of facial, cranial and oral pain - to provide swift, accurate diagnosis and relief for even the most complex conditions.
Face pain may stem from disorders of the facial structure including eyes, jaw, nose, sinuses or teeth. It may originate from the cranial nerves (responsible for functions such as speech, hearing, taste, facial sensation and expression) or it may occur without a detectable source.
Relief is complicated by the fact that the skills of a number of clinicians are often required for treatment to be effective. Which is why, the Face Pain Clinic, is staffed by neurosurgeons, neurologists, an oral physician, pain physician and a pain psychologist with many years experience in the diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of people with facial pain.
"Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), which causes sudden, stabbing, lightening strikes of pain, is the most common facial pain syndrome of cranial nerve origin. It’s an exceptionally painful condition whose early symptoms can often be confused with common complaints such as a cracked tooth or migraine," said Professor Nik Patel, Consultant Neurosurgeon.
"Because of this, and the fact that TN is a little known condition, people may see a variety of specialists and undergo extensive, unnecessary, dentistry before a correct diagnosis is made and effective management prescribed.
"TN can be managed by medical treatment. If this proves ineffective modern neurosurgical techniques can be used to relieve any blood vessel compressing the trigeminal nerve. In the long term, 85% of cases are cured of this problem.
"Whatever the cause, all those experiencing chronic pain can benefit from pain management techniques, especially in the absence of any detectable source or response to therapy. These services are all now available under one roof at the Face Pain Clinic," he said.
Neil Gray was treated for Trigeminal Neuralgia by Professor Patel in 2006 after four years of sudden, excruciating face pain. He has been pain-free since his operation.
"I now realise that I was one of the lucky ones. I only had to consult my dentist and GP before a correct diagnosis was made. Many of the people I have met through the TN Association support group had teeth extracted unnecessarily and a long, frustrating, painful search for a clinician able to identify and treat their complaint.
"Once my condition was diagnosed I consulted the TN Association and found that Spire Bristol Hospital was a centre of excellence for the condition. Professor Patel then operated to reposition an artery that was compressing my trigeminal nerve and triggering the pain," he said.
The new Face Pain Clinic offers patients an effective ‘one-stop-shop’ combining the skills of a team of experts committed to delivering an unrivalled level of clinical excellence. People wishing to take advantage of the new service should call Spire Bristol Hospital on 0117 973 411. A GPs referral is required.
For further information please call
Emmie Pryde
Practice Manager
Ph: 0117 973 4111
Emmeline.pryde@spirehealthcare.com
