Experience with the xylocaine test as a prognostic aid for surgery in Sluder's neuralgia

Facial pain is a common symptom. Patients with this symptom without any overt disease of nose and paranasal sinuses are often diagnosed as having chronic rhinosinusitis. Thirty-six cases were seen and treated surgically by middle turbinectomy or septal surgery in this series. The xylocaine (10 per cent) test seemed to be a good prognostic aid for the surgical procedures. Medical treatment did not seem to relieve the symptoms. Larger series with control trials are recommended in order to establish this practice.