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Neurophysiology of Visceral Pain

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Chronic Pelvic Pain and Pelvic Dysfunctions

Part of the book series: Urodynamics, Neurourology and Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions ((UNPFD))

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Abstract

Visceral pain, particularly chronic pain, is a significant problem for the physical, psychological, social, and economic aspects.

Although it has often been studied by applying the mechanisms of somatic pain, it presents many differences, both in clinical and in physio-pathological aspects.

Despite these differences the current management of visceral pain generally follows the guidelines derived from the somatic pain literature.

However, the knowledge of the key mechanisms underlying chronic visceral plays a fundamental role in the general management of the patient and in the choice of treatment.

In this chapter the anatomical data and the functional aspects that make visceral pain unique will be briefly discussed.

Particularly, clinical presentation, mechanisms of peripheral and central sensitization, and the role of dorsal columns and of descending pathways that modulate spinal nociceptive transmission will be presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, CTO Hospital, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy

    Paolo Costa

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  1. Paolo Costa
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  1. Neuro-Urology Department, CTO-Spinal Unit Hospital, Citta' Della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

    Alessandro Giammò

  2. Autonomic Dysfunctions Center - Rehabilitation Unit, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital - ASL Città di Torino, Turin, Italy

    Antonella Biroli

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Costa, P. (2021). Neurophysiology of Visceral Pain. In: Giammò, A., Biroli, A. (eds) Chronic Pelvic Pain and Pelvic Dysfunctions. Urodynamics, Neurourology and Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56387-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56387-5_2

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