A comparative clinical and radiographic study on patients with chronic facial pain with and without temporomandibular disorder presenting to an otolaryngology clinic.

OBJECTIVE: Facial pain associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is considered a component of Costen's syndrome. However, prior to the current study, no previous clinical and radiographic studies have addressed facial pain in patients with TMD.

METHODS: The study included 212 patients with chronic facial pain examined in an otolaryngology clinic. These were stratified into 132 patients with TMD and 80 patients without TMD. Clinical and radiographic findings were documented in both groups.

RESULTS: Forty-eight patients in the TMD group had normal endoscopic findings and clear CT scans and had their facial pain directly attributable to TMD.

CONCLUSION: In patients presenting with facial pain, where nasal endoscopy reveals no abnormality, TMD should be specifically addressed, especially if CT scans of the paranasal sinuses are clear.