Secondary trigeminal neuralgia diagnosed in orofacial pain setting as epidermoid tumor

This case report describes the rare occurrence of an epidermoid tumor compressing the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve resulting in secondary trigeminal neuralgia. MRI is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of secondary trigeminal neuralgia. The epidermoid tumor was discovered by an orofacial pain specialist after reassessing the MRI study, previously reported as normal. Clinicians encounter a diagnostic dilemma when the clinical picture is not consistent with the MRI reports, clinical presentation, and expected results of treatment. The reassessment of the MRI and discovery of the epidermoid tumor resulted in a prompt referral to a neurosurgeon with a successful treatment outcome.