PONOS CLINIC · SPECIALIST PAIN CARE
Craniofacial pain
Specialist diagnosis and treatment.
Understand the source of facial and head pain to build a targeted care pathway, from clinical assessment to procedures when appropriate.
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Location alone does not explain the source of pain
Craniofacial pain may involve the trigeminal system, occipital nerves, sphenopalatine ganglion, temporomandibular joint and other structures of the face and head.
In resistant conditions, assessment often needs to look beyond the location of symptoms to understand which structure or neural pathway may be sustaining the pain. A procedure is not proposed automatically: the diagnostic and therapeutic rationale comes first.
Building a diagnostic assessment
For persistent or resistant pain, the priority is to understand the mechanisms involved and identify structures that may warrant targeted investigation.
When specialist assessment may help
- Persistent or recurring pain
- Neuropathic or sudden, episodic symptoms
- Insufficient response to previous treatment
- Dental or ENT assessments that have not resolved the problem
- Associated neck pain, headache or tinnitus
Mechanisms to distinguish
- Trigeminal involvement
- Peripheral neuropathic pain
- Occipital nerves and cervical contributions
- The sphenopalatine ganglion and autonomic pathways
- Central sensitisation and pain persistence
Main clinical areas
Symptoms may appear similar while their mechanisms differ substantially. Care therefore starts with clinical assessment, rather than selecting a procedure in advance.
From diagnosis to targeted treatment
Where appropriate, assessment may include selective diagnostic tests. Treatment options for suitable patients may include trigeminal radiofrequency, pulsed radiofrequency of the sphenopalatine ganglion and occipital nerve treatment.
The indication follows from the clinical picture and the target identified, not simply from the availability of a technique.
Frequently asked questions
When should facial pain be assessed by a specialist?
When it persists or recurs, has neuropathic features, significantly affects daily life or does not respond to treatment already prescribed.
Does a specialist consultation automatically lead to a procedure?
No. A procedure is considered only when there is a clinical rationale, a plausible target and a favourable balance of potential benefit and risk.
What is the role of diagnostic blocks?
In selected cases, they can help assess the possible contribution of a particular nerve or joint. Results are always interpreted within the overall clinical context.
Which documents should I bring?
Relevant neurological, dental or ENT reports, available imaging and a list of previous treatments, including their benefit or lack of response.
This information does not replace specialist assessment. Each diagnostic or treatment decision requires an individual clinical evaluation.