Meningioma as a cause of chronic orofacial pain: case reports

R J Cook1, I Sharif, M Escudier

  • 1Department Oral Medicine & Diagnostics, Kings College Dental Institute, Floor 22 Guy's Tower, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, England. Richard_james.cook@kcl.ac.uk

Insights

Meningiomas can cause chronic orofacial pain, delaying diagnosis. Early consideration of intracranial tumors is crucial for timely treatment of facial pain.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Chronic orofacial pain often leads to extensive dental and neurological investigations.
  • Delayed diagnosis of underlying causes can result in prolonged patient suffering and treatment delays.

Observation:

  • Two middle-aged men presented with chronic orofacial pain attributed to meningiomas.
  • Initial investigations focused on dentoalveolar issues and idiopathic facial pain, delaying the identification of intracranial lesions.

Findings:

  • Meningiomas were the underlying cause of chronic orofacial pain in both cases.
  • Nerve disturbances (VII and VIII cranial nerves) and atypical trigeminal neuralgia prompted further investigation, revealing the tumors.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering proximal intracranial lesions in refractory orofacial pain.
  • Emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis of operable tumors to prevent delayed treatment and improve patient outcomes.

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