Pain on just one side of the head, in the jaw region or near the ear or cheekbone, can be a simple headache, a TMJ problem, or a dental issue.
However, for these patients it is important to include a condition called vasculitis in the list of possible diagnoses.
Vasculitis is an inflammation of blood vessels. When this occurs in the side, or temporal, region of the head, it is called “temporal arteritis,” an inflammation in the temporal artery. There may be swelling as well as pain, and the area may be tender to the touch. Often there is a fever.
This is a serious condition, and can have serious consequences. It can spread to the blood vessels of the eyes and possibly cause blindness. If suspected, the patient should immediately be referred to an M.D.
