Assessment of Neuropathic Pain and Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Neuropathic Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with existing or potential damage to the tissue or that is experienced as such. According to the current defi nition, the term neuropathic pain refers to pain that occurs as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease aff ecting the somatosensory system. Neuropathic pain is particularly problematic for its severity, chronicity and resistance to common analgesics. It aff ects around 2-3% of the general population, although the estimates vary widely. Evaluation of neuropathic pain includes neurophysiological tests, skin biopsy, quantitative sensory testing, physical examination and pain assessment. Neuropathic pain causes positive and negative symptoms and can occur spontaneously or following a provoking stimulus. A detailed medical history and thorough clinical evaluation aid localizing the damage to the neuraxis. Precise determination of localization, intensity, quality and pattern of pain are of the utmost importance.