Differential Diagnosis for Face, Ear, Scalp Pain on the Left Side
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 also radiate to the ear and scalp. The pain is often triggered by light touch or other stimuli.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: Pain in the face, ear, and scalp can be referred from the TMJ, especially if there is dysfunction or inflammation of the joint.
- Tension Headache: Tension headaches can cause pain on one side of the head, including the face, ear, and scalp, often due to muscle tension.
- Ear Infection (Otitis Media or Otitis Externa): Infections of the ear can cause pain that radiates to the face and scalp.
- Dental Problems: Toothaches, abscesses, or other dental issues can cause referred pain to the face, ear, and scalp.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although less common, facial pain can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological deficits.
- Multiple Sclerosis: This condition can cause facial pain, among other neurological symptoms, due to demyelination of nerve fibers.
- Giant Cell Arteritis: This inflammatory condition can cause headache, facial pain, and scalp tenderness, especially in older adults.
- Lymphoma or Other Malignancies: Although rare, facial pain can be a symptom of lymphoma or other cancers affecting the face, sinuses, or brain.
Rare Diagnoses
- Raeder's Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by facial pain, ptosis (drooping eyelid), and miosis (constricted pupil) on one side of the face.
- Cluster Headache: While not typically causing pain on the scalp, cluster headaches can cause severe, one-sided facial pain and are often accompanied by other symptoms like nasal congestion.
- Occipital Neuralgia: Inflammation of the occipital nerves can cause pain in the scalp and back of the head, which can sometimes radiate to the face and ear.
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can cause a painful rash on one side of the face, including the ear and scalp, known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome when involving the geniculate ganglion.