LAUSR

BACKGROUND Persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) is characterized by persistent facial or oral pain in the absence of a neurologic deficit. The under-explored pain may be conducted by various nerves, including cranial nerves and upper cervical spinal roots, and its etiology is unclear. CASE DESCRIPTION We present a patient with PIFP associated with occipital muscle stiffness after an improper neck massage. The patient achieved almost completely pain relief by coblation of right upper cervical nerves (C1 and C2 spinal roots) following three weeks period of continuous cervical epidural analgesia. The analgesic effect was stable during the three months follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS PIFP may be cervicogenic, and treatments focusing on cervical spinal roots may provide satisfying pain control in patients with cervical abnormities.