A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Prof. Dr. Luigi Fabrizio Rodella: The Founder of the Italian Society of Orofacial Pain

Dear Colleagues,

“The pain arises as a direct consequence of any lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system.”

Two years since the death of  Prof. Dr. Rodella, the founder of the Italian Society of Orofacial Pain (SISDO, http://www.sisdo.it), his name emphasizes his critical spirit in addressing this specific topic as a major challenge in various fields, ranging from basic science to clinical diagnoses and treatments.

Orofacial pain refers to pain associated with the soft and hard tissues of the head, face and neck, along with the area’s complex innervation, and accounts for a wide range of diagnostic possibilities in patients compliant with this pain. The potential origin of orofacial pain includes pulpal and periodontal, vascular, gland, muscle, bone, sinus and joint structures, such as the temporomandibular joint. Trigeminal nerve injury is one of the causes of chronic orofacial pain. Patients suffering from this condition have a significantly reduced quality of life. It is very difficult to obtain human samples for exploring basic mechanisms; thus, animal pain models are required, including acute, chronic, inflammatory, cancer, joint, visceral, neuropathic pain and other disease models.

This Special Issue, dedicated to the founder of SISDO, aims to honor his memory, providing the latest findings concerning the basic mechanisms (genetic, molecular biology, electrophysiology or imaging) and medical treatments of several pain models. Original research articles, reviews and case reports discussing experimental studies, diagnostic purposes, as well as different therapies are welcome. Moreover, papers dealing with various types of pathology that mimic orofacial pain crucial for timely diagnosis, treatment and improved prognosis, will be considered.

Prof. Dr. Rita Rezzani
Guest Editor

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• orofacial pain
• basic pain mechanisms
• management methodology
• pathophysiology
• neuropathic pain
• neurovascular pain
• burning mouth syndrome
• myofascial pain