Differential Diagnosis for Right Facial Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: This condition is characterized by sudden, severe, and stabbing pain typically on one side of the face, which can be triggered by light touch or other stimuli. It's a common cause of facial pain and often involves the trigeminal nerve.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Dental Problems (e.g., tooth abscess, impacted tooth): Dental issues are a frequent cause of facial pain, especially if the pain is localized to a specific area of the face or is associated with eating or drinking.
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause pain in the face, particularly in the areas surrounding the eyes and nose.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: This condition affects the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull and can cause pain in the jaw, face, and surrounding areas.
- Migraine or Cluster Headaches: Certain types of headaches can cause facial pain, often accompanied by other symptoms like sensitivity to light or nausea.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A medical emergency that causes severe eye pain, often accompanied by facial pain, blurred vision, and nausea.
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: A rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can cause facial pain, especially if accompanied by symptoms like fever, eye swelling, or neurological deficits.
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): While less common, facial pain can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, particularly if it's accompanied by other neurological symptoms like weakness or difficulty speaking.
- Rare diagnoses
- Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic condition that can cause facial pain among other neurological symptoms, due to lesions in the central nervous system.
- Lyme Disease: In rare cases, Lyme disease can cause facial pain, particularly if it involves the nerves (neuroborreliosis).
- Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia: A rare condition similar to trigeminal neuralgia but affecting the glossopharyngeal nerve, causing pain in the throat and base of the tongue, which can sometimes radiate to the face.