Differential Diagnosis for Bilateral Ear Pain Radiating to Neck
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: This condition is a common cause of ear pain that can radiate to the neck due to the close anatomical relationship between the TMJ and the ear. The pain is often unilateral but can be bilateral, and it is frequently associated with jaw dysfunction.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Otitis Media: An infection of the middle ear that can cause ear pain, which may radiate to the neck. It's more likely if there are symptoms like fever, hearing loss, or a sensation of fullness in the ear.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: This condition affects the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. Dysfunction can lead to ear pain and fullness, which might radiate to the neck, especially if there's an associated infection or allergy.
- Cervicogenic Headache: Although primarily causing headache, cervicogenic headaches can sometimes present with ear pain due to the referral of pain from the cervical spine to the ear via the cervical nerves.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Malignancy (e.g., Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma): Although rare, cancers in the head and neck region can cause ear pain that radiates to the neck. Early detection is crucial for treatment and prognosis.
- Temporal Arteritis: An inflammatory condition affecting the blood vessels, particularly those in the head. It can cause severe headaches, jaw claudication, and sometimes ear pain, especially in older adults.
- Acute Mastoiditis: A serious infection of the mastoid bone, which can cause ear pain, fever, and neck pain due to the spread of infection.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (Herpes Zoster Oticus): A viral infection that affects the facial nerve and can cause ear pain, facial weakness, and sometimes neck pain.
- Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia: A rare condition characterized by recurrent episodes of severe pain in the tongue, throat, ear, and neck, usually triggered by swallowing.
- Otosclerosis: A condition that affects the middle ear, leading to hearing loss and sometimes ear pain, although it less commonly radiates to the neck.