Figure 1

Schematic representation of possible mechanisms of algogenesis in the setting of nerve sheath tumors. Mechanisms depicted include: (A) Ectopic mechanosensitivity possibly due to increase in local concentrations of the Nav 1.4 sodium channel leading to increased axonal transmission in response to mechanical stimulation, (B) Continuous secretion of chemical algogens leading to rest pain in the absence of stimulus, (C) Aberrant axonal sprouting which fire pain stimuli constitutively.