Korean J Pain.  2013 Apr;26(2):177-180. 10.3344/kjp.2013.26.2.177.

Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by Pharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report

• Kim MS
• Ryu YJ
• Park SY
• Kim HY
• An S
• Kim SW

• KMID: 1978665
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2013.26.2.177

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by recurrent paroxysms of unilateral facial pain that typically is severe, lancinating, and activated with cutaneous stimulation. There are two types of TN, classical TN and atypical TN. The pain nature of classical TN are the same as those described above, whereas atypical TN is characterized by constant, burning pain. We describe the case of a 49-year-old male presenting with right-sided facial pain. The patient was diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder at a dental clinic and was on medical treatment, but his symptoms worsened gradually. He was referred to our pain clinic for further evaluation. Radiologic evaluation, including MRI, showed a parapharyngeal tumor. For the relief of TN, a right mandibular nerve (V3) root block was performed at our pain clinic, and then he was scheduled for radiation and chemotherapy.

Keyword

parapharyngeal tumor; trigeminal neuralgia; trigeminal neuritis

MeSH Terms

Burns
Dental Clinics
Facial Pain
Humans
Male
Mandibular Nerve
Pain Clinics
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Trigeminal Neuralgia

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 MRI scan showed a mass (white arrows) in the right parapharyngeal space through foramen ovale. (A) T2 weighted MRI-IAC transverse view. (B) T2 weighted MRI-PNS transverse view.

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  Fig. 2 The whole body FDG fusion PET showed hypermetabloic mass (white arrow), suggestive of malignancy in the right parapharyngeal space and right masticator space.

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  Fig. 3 Right V3 root block via infrazygomatic approach. The needle tip (white arrows) is positioned through foramen ovale. (A) Lateral view. (B) Anteroposterior view.

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