Nerve Entrapment Headaches at the Temple: Zygomaticotemporal and/or Auriculotemporal Nerve?

BACKGROUND

Temple headaches are common, yet the anatomic etiology of headaches in this region is often confusing. One possible cause of temple headaches is dysfunction of the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN), a branch of the third division of the trigeminal nerve. However, the site of pain is often anterior to the described path of the ATN, and corresponds more closely to a portion of the path of a small branch of the second division of the trigeminal nerve called the zygomaticotemporal nerve (ZTN).

OBJECTIVES

We present the anatomic and clinical differences between these 2 nerves and describe treatment approaches. Diagnosis is made by physical examination of the temporal fossa and the temporomandibular joint, and injection of local anesthetic over the tenderest nerve.

RESULTS

In general, treatments of headaches that generated from the peripheral nerve attempt to neutralize the pain origin using surgical or interventional pain techniques to reduce nerve irritation and subsequently deactivate stimulated migraine centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of temporal nerve entrapment includes medications, nerve injections, dental appliances, cryoneuroablation, chemical neurolysis, neuromodulation, and surgical decompression.

KEY WORDS

Headache, migraine, trigeminal nerve, Frey's syndrome, zygomaticotemporal nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, temple pain, jaw pain, ear pain, tooth pain.