Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) mimicking temporomandibular disorders: a case report

Abstract

Approximately 6 to 16% of patients with trigeminal neuralgia symptoms present intracranial tumors, the most common being the vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). Some symptoms reported by patients include hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, vertigo and trigeminal disturbances. An increased muscle response in the surrounding head and neck musculature may also be observed, which mimics signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. In these cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proved to be a useful tool in tumor diagnosis. The differential diagnosis between myofascial and neuralgic pain is important, as both may present similar characteristics, while being of different origin, and demanding special treatment approaches. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the relationship among trigeminal neuralgia symptoms, intracranial tumors and temporomandibular dysfunction by presenting a clinical case.

Acoustic Neuroma Mimicking Orofacial Pain: A Unique Case Report

“…In most recent statistics, an increase of such incidence has been reported due to frequent use of more sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) techniques, diagnosing very small tumors [18]. It happens independently of ethnicity and is more frequently diagnosed in men within 50–60 years of age (61%) [5]. Orofacial pain as the sole symptom of an intracranial tumor is rare.…”

“…Few case reports [5, 9, 20] were published with a confirmed diagnosis of AN mimicking orofacial pain, whereas most of the cases [21–23] in the literature are of trigeminal neuralgia secondary to acoustic neuroma. In our case, the patient manifested features of orofacial pain in early visits but in late stage clinical features suggested trigeminal neuralgia.…”

“…In some rare instances, the pain may also arise from neurogenic sources involving cranial nerves V [2, 3], VII [4], VIII [5], and IX [2]. …”

Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by Pharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma - A Case Report -

“…The etiology in 80-90% of patients with TN is the compression of the trigeminal nerve at or near the nerve root by an overlying vessel, which results in the demyelination of the trigeminal sensory fibers [3], whereas the etiology in 5-8% of patients with TN is a brain tumor. Facial pain caused by tumors is often related to neurologic abnormalities, such as sensory changes, loss of reflexes, and constant pain [9,10]. …”

Orofacial pain secondary to acoustic neuroma—A case report

“…Acoustic neuroma (AN), or vestibular schwannoma, is an example of an intracranial tumor that may cause orofacial pain 3–11 . In the United States, its incidence is 1.2 per 100 000 people per year 12 .…”