Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Auriculotemporal neuralgia

  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this article, the anatomic and physiologic characteristics and clinical syndromes involving the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) are reviewed. The ATN is a terminal branch of the mandibular nerve (third division of the trigeminal nerve). The syndrome of ATN neuralgia (ATNa), which is characterized by attacks of paroxysmal, moderate to severe pain on the preauricular area, often spreading to the ipsilateral temple, is discussed in this article. The classification of ATNa under the Second Edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, as well as our personal experience in diagnosing and treating this syndrome, also are reviewed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society: The International Classification of Headaches Disorders, edn 2. Cephalalgia 2004, 24(suppl 1):1–150. This seminal paper presents the classification of headaches that is endorsed by the International Headache Society.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Gordon L, Ritland GD: Nerve entrapment syndromes. Conn Med 1974, 38:97–102.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Loughner BA, Larkin LH, Mahan PE: Nerve entrapment in the lateral pterygoid muscle. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1990, 69:299–306.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Schmidt BL, Pogrel MA, Necoechea M, Kearns G: The distribution of the auriculotemporal nerve around the temporomandibular joint. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1998, 86:165–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ide I, Nakazawa K: Anatomical Atlas of the Temporomandibular Joint. Tokyo: Quintessence Publishing Company; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Anil A, Peker T, Turgut HB, et al.: Variations in the anatomy of the inferior alveolar nerve. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2003, 41:236–239.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Benedittis G: Auriculotemporal syndrome (Frey`s Syndrome) presenting as tic doloureux. J Neurosurg 1990, 72:955–958.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Frey L: Le syndrome du nerf auriculo-temporal. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1923, 2:97–104.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fernandes PR, Vasconsellos HA, Okeson JP, et al.: The anatomical relationship between the position of the auriculotemporal nerve and mandibular condyle. Cranio 2003, 21:165–171. A recent anatomic study that revealed a significant variation in the relationship of the ATN to the middle meningeal artery. This study also presented the relationship between the ATN and the head of the mandible.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Damarjian E: Auriculo-temporal neuralgia: an original diagnostic and therapeutic approach. R I Med J 1970, 53:100–101.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Pareja JA, Pareja J, Yangüela J: Nummular headache, trochleitis, supraorbital neuralgia, and other epicranial headaches and neuralgias: the epicranias. J Headache Pain 2003, 4:125–131. This article describes some headaches and neuralgias that have temporal or spatial features suggesting a peripheral (extracranial) origin, which the authors called epicranias. Epicranias essentially differ from other primary headaches because of their intracranial origin and features of visceral pain.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Speciali, J.G., Gonçalves, D.A.G. Auriculotemporal neuralgia. Current Science Inc 9, 277–280 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-005-0037-0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-005-0037-0

Keywords

Navigation