A diagnostic dilemma: Acute mastoiditis presenting as facial pain and trismus: A case study

This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of patient presented with acute mastoiditis, pain in the distribution of trigeminal nerve and restricted mouth opening.A 23 year old female initially diagnosed as myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome and given medications, no symptom free period achieved after medications, later suspection of trigeminal neuralgia showed no improvement in conventional treatments.MRI revealed an finding of acute mastoiditis despite the absent of symptoms like ear pain, patient’s condition improved after prompt antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention.This case highlights the need for dentist to consider the systemic infection in differential diagnosis when conventional treatment failed to provide timely and accurate patient care.