Curious Case of Facial Pain Mimicking Temporomandibular Disorder

TL;DR

A man's facial pain was initially thought to be a jaw disorder but turned out to be caused by a rare mass in his muscle.

Contribution

The case highlights the importance of considering rare causes when diagnosing facial pain.

Findings

Initial treatment for temporomandibular disorder failed to relieve the patient's symptoms.

Imaging revealed a mass in the lateral pterygoid muscle, which was later surgically removed.

Histopathology confirmed a rare and unexpected diagnosis.

Abstract

Facial pain is a common but complex complaint, frequently associated with dental issues or temporomandibular disorder (TMD). However, rare aetiologies can complicate conventional diagnoses and treatment approaches. We present a case of a 36-year-old male with persistent jaw pain and restricted mandibular movement, initially managed as a typical TMD case. Conventional treatments yielded no improvement, prompting advanced imaging, which identified an unusual mass within the lateral pterygoid muscle. A surgical excision of the mass was performed, and histopathological examination revealed a rare and unexpected diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of considering uncommon conditions in the differential diagnosis of TMD and facial pain to ensure timely and appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Figures