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What Causes A Headache, Eye Twitching And Temple Swelling?
Question: I have been experiencing a headache on my left temple on and off for a few years. Lately it has gotten worse and has been causing an eye twitch. I experience mostly at night. The headache is a throbbing, burning pain that feels like it is pushing from the inside out. Tonight I noticed that my temple is swollen and feels like it is creating pressure from the top of my head to the tip of my nose and down to my left jaw. Is this something to be really concerned about and what may be causing it?
Brief Answer:
Probably not serious but imaging may be scheduled.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The fact that it has been present for years means that it shouldn't be a cause for concern as a tumor, infection or inflammation would have progressed earlier. The swelling feeling also isn't a sign of brain lesion as they are confined inside the skull, do not cause swelling on the scalp, may be a psychological phenomena as well as twitching often caused by anxiety.
That being said there is a factor in your description which requires medical attention, the fact that you describe the symptoms to be always on the same side which is not typical for common types of headache such as migraine or tension type headache. For that reason I believe a brain MRI/MRA should be scheduled to exclude causes such as vascular malformations. Also if you are convinced there is a visible swelling should check with your primar physician for a local infection such as an ear or parotid salivary gland infection.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Probably not serious but imaging may be scheduled.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The fact that it has been present for years means that it shouldn't be a cause for concern as a tumor, infection or inflammation would have progressed earlier. The swelling feeling also isn't a sign of brain lesion as they are confined inside the skull, do not cause swelling on the scalp, may be a psychological phenomena as well as twitching often caused by anxiety.
That being said there is a factor in your description which requires medical attention, the fact that you describe the symptoms to be always on the same side which is not typical for common types of headache such as migraine or tension type headache. For that reason I believe a brain MRI/MRA should be scheduled to exclude causes such as vascular malformations. Also if you are convinced there is a visible swelling should check with your primar physician for a local infection such as an ear or parotid salivary gland infection.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you.
I do occasionally have an intense itch in my left ear and ringing. Sometimes a clear liquid will leak out. I saw a GP during one of these episodes and she said she didn't see anything wrong. Could this possibly an ear infection made worse due to seasonal allergies?
I do occasionally have an intense itch in my left ear and ringing. Sometimes a clear liquid will leak out. I saw a GP during one of these episodes and she said she didn't see anything wrong. Could this possibly an ear infection made worse due to seasonal allergies?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for bringing some more information.
Well yes, that reinforces that hypothesis of local infection, making it the most likely possibility. As I said primary brain lesions do not typically cause external signs, so the ear infection should be seriously considered as the cause of your symptoms. Head imaging might still be considered as it provides info also on internal ear structures as well, but a primary brain lesion is less likely.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for bringing some more information.
Well yes, that reinforces that hypothesis of local infection, making it the most likely possibility. As I said primary brain lesions do not typically cause external signs, so the ear infection should be seriously considered as the cause of your symptoms. Head imaging might still be considered as it provides info also on internal ear structures as well, but a primary brain lesion is less likely.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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