Painful Trigeminal Neuropathy Attributed to a Space-occupying Lesion Presenting as a Toothache: A Report of 4 Cases.

Painful trigeminal neuropathy attributed to a space-occupying lesion (code 13.1.2.5 in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition [beta version]) is an orofacial pain condition that has characteristics of classical trigeminal neuralgia but is caused by a space-occupying lesion. We present 4 cases of intracranial lesions mimicking odontogenic pain as follows: case 1, a 61-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of aching soreness in the right mandibular molar area for 1 year; case 2, a 59-year-old man presented with severe pain in the left maxillary and mandibular molars; case 3, a 72-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of facial shock-like pain on the left side; and case 4, a 75-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of paroxysmal pain and numbness in the buccal gingiva of the right mandibular molar region. Cases 1 and 2 had trigeminal neuralgia, which had previously been incorrectly attributed to osteoma and maxillary sinus retention cyst, respectively, and resulted in inappropriate dental surgical procedures. All patients subsequently underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and the results were consistent with intracranial disease. Magnetic resonance images revealed acoustic neuromas in the cerebellopontine angle in cases 1, 2, and 4 and a small meningioma near the entry to the left Meckel cave in case 3. Cases 1, 3, and 4 had these lesions removed; after which, their pain resolved. Before dental treatment, dental practitioners should focus not only on dental imaging but also on the patient's medical history and pain characteristics.

Orofacial pain and headaches associated with exfoliation glaucoma.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW: Exfoliation syndrome is the most common identifiable cause of open-angle glaucoma. The authors report a case of exfoliation glaucoma in a patient who had orofacial pain. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 77-year-old woman was treated at the orofacial pain clinic for left-sided facial pain and headaches of 7 months' duration. Her cataracts and open-angle glaucoma had been diagnosed approximately 3 years earlier. Her main symptoms were orofacial pain, eye redness, inflammation of the eyelids, and eyelid edema. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of intracranial or extracranial pathology. Hemicrania continua was considered as a possible diagnosis. Indomethacin was prescribed but did not affect her headaches. She then went to an ophthalmologist to rule out secondary headaches. Intraocular pressure was 13 millimeters of mercury in the right eye and 67 mm Hg in the left eye. The ophthalmologist made a diagnosis of exfoliation glaucoma, and the patient underwent surgical treatment for the glaucoma and cataracts. After surgery, she was free of symptoms, and intraocular pressure was 15 mm Hg in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: During differential diagnosis, dentists need to consider intraoral and systemic conditions that can mimic odontogenic or orofacial pain disorders in the patient's medical history and that have a higher incidence associated with the patient's age.