Differential Diagnosis of Facial Cheek Swelling
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Dental Abscess: This is often the most common cause of facial cheek swelling, resulting from an infection of the dental pulp or surrounding tissues. It is usually accompanied by tooth pain, fever, and swelling that can be localized to the affected tooth.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Parotid Gland Infection or Abscess: Infections of the parotid gland can cause swelling in the cheek area, often accompanied by fever and pain. This condition can be serious and may require antibiotic treatment.
- Soft Tissue Infection (Cellulitis): Bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues can cause swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area. Facial cellulitis can be a result of trauma, insect bites, or spread from adjacent infected areas.
- Allergic Reaction: Allergic reactions, such as angioedema, can cause sudden swelling of the face, including the cheeks, often in response to an allergen. This can be associated with other symptoms like hives, itching, and difficulty breathing.
- Trauma: Blunt trauma to the face can result in swelling due to hematoma formation or soft tissue injury.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ludwig's Angina: A severe infection of the submandibular space that can cause swelling of the cheek and neck, leading to potential airway obstruction. It is a medical emergency.
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: A rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can occur as a complication of facial infections, leading to thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. Symptoms can include facial swelling, proptopia, and cranial nerve deficits.
- Malignancy (e.g., Squamous Cell Carcinoma): Although less common, facial cheek swelling can be a presentation of various malignancies. Early diagnosis is crucial for treatment and prognosis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome: A rare neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, often unilateral, facial swelling, particularly of the lips and cheeks, along with other symptoms like facial paralysis and the development of folds and inflammation of the tongue (fissured tongue).
- Angio-Osteitis (Garcia-Patten Syndrome): A rare condition involving inflammation of the bone and blood vessels, which can cause facial swelling among other symptoms.
- Eosinophilic Granuloma with Soft Tissue Involvement: Part of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, this condition can rarely cause localized swelling, including in the facial area, due to the accumulation of histiocytes.