Differential Diagnosis for Temporal Pain and Eye Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and can cause pain on one side of the head, including the temporal region, and may also involve eye pain due to referred pain from the scalp and neck muscles.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Migraine: A migraine can cause severe, unilateral pain that may involve the temporal region and eye. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Cluster Headache: Cluster headaches are severe and occur in cycles or clusters. They typically cause pain on one side of the head, often around the eye, and can be accompanied by nasal congestion and eye watering.
- Temporal Arteritis: This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels in the temples and can cause temporal pain, eye pain, and vision problems, especially in older adults.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Giant Cell Arteritis: Similar to temporal arteritis, giant cell arteritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the blood vessels and can cause severe headaches, eye pain, and vision loss. It is a medical emergency if vision is threatened.
- Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This is a sudden and severe condition that causes increased pressure in the eye, leading to eye pain, headache, and vision problems. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: A rare but potentially life-threatening condition involving a blood clot in the cavernous sinus, which can cause headache, eye pain, and neurological symptoms.
Rare Diagnoses
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense shock-like or stabbing pain in parts of the face, including the eye and temple area.
- Hemicrania Continua: A rare type of headache disorder characterized by continuous, one-sided headache pain, often with autonomic features like eye watering and nasal congestion.
- Sphenoid Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sphenoid sinus can cause deep headache pain, often described as occurring in the temple or behind the eye, and can be accompanied by other symptoms like fever and nasal discharge.