Neurológia pre prax 5/2011

Neuropathic pain – a frequent component of many diseases

Neuropathic pain is defined as a pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system. A convenient classification of neuropathic pain is anatomical, according to the site of initiating nervous system pathology, with an etiological sub-classification. Where possible it should be divided into peripheral or central neuropathic pain based on the location of the lesion in the nervous system. In certain disorders pain could be of mixed type with both nociceptive and neuropathic components. Neuropathic pain is a very common problem in many neurological diseases. It may arise from a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect the peripheral and central nervous system. The present paper reviews common neuropathic pain syndromes.

Keywords: trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, mononeuropathies, polyneuropathies, spinal cord lesions, multiple sclerosis, central poststroke pain.