Nasopharyngeal Cancer with Temporomandibular Disorder and Neurologic Symptom: A Case Report

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal cancer is malignant tumor of nasopharyngeal area that is characterized of lymphadenopathy, pain, otitis media, hearing loss and cranial nerve palsy and may present symptoms similar to temporomandibular disorder such as facial pain and trismus. In this case, the patient with symptoms similar to temporomandibular disorder after surgery for otitis media presented with facial paresthesia and masticatory muscle weakness. Examinaion of trigemimal nerve was shown sensory and motor abnormaility. The patient was referred to a neurologist. Nasopharyngeal cancer was suspected on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and was confirmed by biopsy. If the patient presenting with paresthesia and muscle weakness the cranial nerve examination should be performed regardless of typical temporomandibular disorder symptom. The neurologic symptom can be caused by neoplasm such as brain tumor and nasopharyngeal cancer. Nasopharyngeal cancer on rosenmuller fossa can develop otitis media. Therefore, the patient with otitis media history should be consulted to otorhinolaryngologist to examin the nasopharyngeal area.