Various diagnostic possibilities for zygomatic arch pain: Seven case reports and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Pain of the zygomatic arch region is common among patients with orofacial pain, especially in those with temporomandibular disorder-related pain of a myogenic origin. Since zygomatic arch pain may occur due to various causes other than muscle pain, appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning is essential to ensure its successful management. Unfortunately, zygomatic arch pain has not been handled as an independent clinical feature until now, and studies have mainly focused on pain resulting from trauma and surgical procedures. CASE
SUMMARY: We describe 7 independent cases, all of which presented with the identical chief complaint of pain in the zygomatic arch region. However, the underlying causes were different for each, being myofascial pain, myositis, tooth crack, dental caries, sinusitis, neuropathic pain, and salivary gland tumor respectively. In this case report, the clinical features of each case are investigated and diseases to be considered in the diagnostic process are suggested, along with the diagnostic modalities (including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) that can lead to the appropriate final diagnosis.
CONCLUSION: Zygomatic arch pain is a common complaint encountered in the orofacial pain clinic but may lead to misdiagnosis. Clinicians must have in-depth knowledge of the possible differential diagnoses and evaluation tools. ©The Author(s) 2020 Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.