Facial pain from visceral origin

Abstract

Introduction: Unilateral facial pain in the trigeminal area is known to be caused by a cancer in the superior lobe of the lung.

Case report: A 65 year old male, heavy smoker, presented a permanent otalgia and a mandibular pain on the left side. These symptoms could not be relieved by common analgesics. All explorations for common etiologies were negative. After an episode of dyspnea, a left lung cancer was discovered. Thanks to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient's pain was improved.

Conclusion: Referred facial pain is rare and can be explained by the invasion of the tenth nerve by an upper lobe lung tumor. In most cases, the patient presents a right otalgia and pain in the area of V3. The diagnosis can be delayed from 1 month to 4 years after the onset of the pain. Referred facial pain is improved by the treatment of the causal lung cancer.