20 August 2023

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Lymphoma masquerading as jaw pain, headache and syncope

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Background

Lymphomas of parapharyngeal space often have complex manifestations, posing a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians.

Case description

A 64-year-old man sought treatment for a 4-month history of unresolving right-sided headache and jaw pain associated with syncope, all of which started with a toothache. Since the onset of pain, the patient had undergone multiple diagnostic tests with various specialists, with no pain relief. A detailed clinical and radiologic examination by an orofacial pain specialist revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the parapharynx.

Practical implications

A thorough knowledge of the head and neck anatomy helps in identifying the pathophysiology of complex orofacial pain manifestations, which assists in early diagnosis and treatment.

Hemamalini Chandrashekhar, Sherwin Arman, Junad Khan and Mythili Kalladka. "Lymphoma masquerading as jaw pain, headache, and syncope: A case report." JADA. 28 June 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2023.03.018