Sharp pain in the side of face could be due to injury t a nerve or pinched nerve, an infection or a trauma. Hence it could be Trigeminal neuralgia, abscess in tooth, exposed root canal, internal ear infection, maxillary sinusitis, TMJ, migraine, herpes (recurrent) without rash or fibromyalgia localized to face.
It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind.
I have a recent dx of Trigeminal Neuralgia from Primary Care and have been referred to Neurology for further evaluation. The pain distribution is unilateral and follows the sensory distribution of cranial nerve V at the maxillary area. History of previous trauma (neuroplasia) dates to 1997, though asymptomatic to current presentation. There is no prior history of TMJ, aneurysms, tumors or other common precipitants. I am 61 years old, consistent with typical onset.
The various causes of facial numbness on one side of the face are diabetes mellitus, peripheral nerve trauma, stroke, bells or lower motor neuron palsy, acoustic neuroma and trigeminal neuralgia. Consult a neurologist if there has been any such recent development in your husband. Dental consult is also warranted to rule out trigeminal nerve involvement or any dental cause of numbness. Take care.
Differentials will be a migraine headache, trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, carotidynia and tension headaches.
Trigeminal neuralgia is associated with a severe pain over the temples, the cheeks ,and over the jaw.The pain may be debilitating and may be aggravated by light touch , brushing the teeth or combing your hair. Carotidynia may be pain over the neck and temples. There are a few types and they may be due to an underlying viral infection.
Did you ever get a reply? Sounds like Trigeminal Neuralgia Type 1 or Atypical. There is help for this! Same needs used for seizures help condition and pain attacks. Tegretol is one but many more. Thank you
Neurologist treats TN. Studies happening now.
Traumatic trigeminal neuropathy is generally not associated with trigeminal neuralgia. However, both entities may be responsive to pharmacologic intervention. Seeing a neurologist or orofacial pain specialist misadvised.
Sharp pain in the side of face could be due to injury to a nerve or pinched nerve, an infection or a trauma. Hence it could be Trigeminal neuralgia, abscess in tooth, exposed root canal, internal ear infection, maxillary sinusitis, TMJ, migraine, herpes (recurrent) without rash or fibromyalgia localized to face.
Symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia is usually caused by multiple sclerosis or by tumours arising near the trigeminal nerve root.
Differential diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia:
Cluster headache - Longer-lasting pain; orbital or supraorbital; may cause patient to wake from sleep; autonomic symptoms
Dental pain (e.g.
Hi,
The common causes of shooting pains on right side of head are trigeminal neuralgia, temporal arteritis, tension headaches etc.In trigeminal neuralgia there are successive bouts of face pain. This pain occurs when a blood vessel compresses the trigeminal nerve as it leaves the brain stem. Temporal arteritis is caused due to inflammation of medium and large sized arteries bringing blood to the head.
I have been going to the doctor for several years for sinusitis, then I began to have facial pain. After several different doctors, I was told that I had trigeminal neuralgia as well as a deviated septum. I eventually had laser surgery for the trigeminal neuralgia, but the a facial pain continues. The nerve pain has subsided, but I continue to have facial pain on my left side. The pain seems to get worse if I lean my head to that side.
Hello unnerved,
Trigeminal nerve which is responsible for sensations of the face. The cause trigeminal neuralgia is probably a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve. Tumors and multiple sclerosis can also cause it, but in some cases the cause is unknown. The pain is sudden, severe, electric shock-like, stabbing that is typically felt on one side of the jaw or cheek.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) rarely occurs with sinusitis but it has been described. The persistent congestion and your severe headache suggest that, despite the "clear" sinus x-rays you may have sinusitis or an infection of the sinus that has extended beyond the sinus walls.
That you are still ill suggests a possible infectious complication. You would do well to consult with an ENT specialist and have a CT scan of your sinuses and the adjacent areas.
Good luck.
Hi, Thank you for your question. Trigeminal neuralgia may be presented with typical one sided facial pain extending to temple and eye( ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve may be involved) and sore gums of the teeth of same side (maxillary branch of 5th nerve). Trigeminal neuralgia may have a triggering factor like recent history of tooth extraction, touch, cold breeze or hot sensation etc. which you need to evaluate and avoid.
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