Malignant Mass in the Infratemporal region mimicking atypical facial pain

Objective:Tumours arising from the infratemporal region are rare.When present, they do not give rise to noticeable swellings until they are big.However, they may give rise to unusual features associated with the contents of the infratemporal region.We present a rare case of a malignant tumour arising from the infratemporal region in a 9 year old girl. Methods:Diagnosis was by Fine Needle Aspirational Cytology and Excisional Biopsy. Result: The atypical pain was followed by a left preauricular swelling a few weeks after the first presentation.CT scans showed a mass in the left maxillary sinus which had destroyed the surrounding walls.Histology confirmed soft tissue sarcoma.Surgery was done by a combined team of maxillofacial, ENT and neuro surgeons.Postoperative recovery was rapid and patient was referred to the oncologist and radiotherapist for continuation of treatment after discharge from the hospital. Conclusion:The clinician should be suspicious of a malignant lesion when patients present with persistent facial pain and to improve survival rate of these patients, the lesion should be diagnosed early and combined treatment should be used.