Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42270145›Full record

ArticleBMJ case reports2026

Cryoneurolysis of auriculotemporal nerve for treatment of otalgia.

Nikit Patel, Shireen Rabiei, Daniel Moon, Yevgeniya Sergeyenko

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Nikit PatelPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Shireen RabieiPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Daniel MoonPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Yevgeniya SergeyenkoThomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA yevgeniya.sergeyenko@jefferson.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6302-3902

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Otalgia in adults is often secondary to non-otologic pathology, particularly with normal otoscopic examination. Auriculotemporal neuralgia (ATN) is a rare and overlooked cause of secondary otalgia. We present a case of an Army veteran with chronic right otalgia and dizziness following blast-related mild traumatic brain injury who was initially diagnosed with vestibular migraine. Despite significant improvement in headache symptoms with migraine-directed preventive and abortive treatments, otalgia persisted. Auriculotemporal nerve block produced complete but short-lived pain relief, confirming ATN. Cryoneurolysis of the auriculotemporal nerve resulted in complete resolution of otalgia for 2-3 months after first and second treatments. However, transient worsening of tinnitus, ear pressure and dizziness also occurred but eventually returned to baseline. This case highlights cryoneurolysis as a potential therapeutic option for refractory ATN-related otalgia.

Indexed as

CryosurgeryEaracheMandibular NerveNerve BlockBlast InjuriesHumansMaleTreatment OutcomeHeadache (including migraines)PainPain (neurology)Peripheral nerve diseaseTrauma CNS /PNS

Identifiers

PMID42270145
PMCPMC13264808

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.