Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

neuralgia, facial
Severe pain that usually occurs
in bursts along the path of the trigeminal nerve, the
chief sensory nerve of the face.
neuralgia, postherpetic
The most common
complication of shingles, persistence of the pain
associated with shingles beyond 1 month, even after
the rash is gone. The pain can be severe and debil-
itating, and it occurs primarily in persons over age
50. The pain of postherpetic neuralgia can be
reduced by certain medications including tricyclic
antidepressant medications and some antiseizure
medications. Capsaicin cream, a derivative of hot
chili peppers, or lidocaine patches can be applied
on the area after all the blisters have healed, to
reduce pain. Acupuncture and electric nerve stimu-
lation through the skin can be helpful for some
patients.
neurectomy
The surgical removal of part or all
of a nerve.
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neurectomy
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neuritis
Inflammation of nerves. There are many
causes of neuritis, including various viruses and
local irritation of a nerve by adjacent tissues.
neuroblastoma
A childhood form of cancer that
arises in the adrenal gland or in tissue in the nerv-
ous system that is related to the adrenal gland.
Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor
outside the brain in infants and children. It is often
present at birth but may not be detected until later
in infancy or childhood. The most common symp-
toms are the result of pressure by the tumor or bone
pain from metastases. Protruding eyes and dark cir-
cles around the eyes are common and are caused by
cancer that has spread to the area behind the eye.
Neuroblastomas may compress the spinal cord,
causing paralysis. Up to 70 percent of all children
with neuroblastoma have metastases by the time the
disease is diagnosed. Treatment may involve sur-
gery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell
transplant. It can be cured when diagnosed at an
early stage. Screening infants for neuroblastoma is
not warranted because it does not decrease the
morbidity (illness) or mortality rate.
neurodermatitis
Scaly patches of skin on the
head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms that are caused
by a chronic itching and scratching. Also known as
lichen simplex.