Differential Diagnosis for Persistent Headache around Eye Socket and Temple
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and can cause pain around the eye socket and temple due to muscle tension. The pain is usually bilateral, mild to moderate, and can be exacerbated by stress or poor posture.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Migraine: Migraines can cause severe, unilateral headaches that may be localized around the eye socket and temple. They are often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Cluster Headache: Cluster headaches are severe, unilateral headaches that occur in clusters or cycles. They often cause pain around the eye socket and temple and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal congestion and eye watering.
- Sinusitis: Sinus infections can cause pain and pressure around the eye socket and temple due to inflammation of the sinuses. Other symptoms may include nasal congestion, fever, and facial pain.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Although less likely, a subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the space surrounding the brain) can cause a sudden, severe headache, often described as "the worst headache of my life." It is crucial to consider this diagnosis due to its high mortality rate if left untreated.
- Temporal Arteritis: Temporal arteritis is an inflammation of the blood vessels in the temple area and can cause headaches, jaw pain, and visual disturbances. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness, making it a critical diagnosis not to miss.
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: This is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot forms in the cavernous sinus, a group of veins located behind the eye socket. It can cause severe headache, eye pain, and other neurological symptoms.
Rare Diagnoses
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: This is a rare condition that causes sudden, severe pain in the face, often around the eye socket and temple. The pain is usually unilateral and can be triggered by light touch or other stimuli.
- Hemicrania Continua: This is a rare type of headache disorder that causes continuous, unilateral pain around the eye socket and temple. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal congestion and eye watering.
- Occipital Neuralgia: This is a rare condition that causes pain in the back of the head and neck, which can sometimes radiate to the eye socket and temple. The pain is usually unilateral and can be triggered by pressure on the occipital nerve.