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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Painful Knots On The Left Side Of Face Below Temple In Front Of Ear. What Could This Be ?

I have this knot thats painful on the left side of my face below my temple in front of my ear , you can t see it but you can feel it and it make me feel real bad from the pain all on the left side of my face. it even hurts to wear my glasses what could this be? I just had an mri and about 2 1/2 months ago and they said it wasn t nothing and i was hurting bad then
Sat, 8 Dec 2012
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM
Presence of a painful knot like structure below the temple area can be a soft tissue swelling or giant cell arteritis.
A clinical examination is essential to narrow the possibilities.
A soft tissue swelling can be due to growth of fibrous tissue, muscle, adipose tissue, blood vessel etc.
A fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is required to know the character of the soft tissue swelling. It is an office procedure with minimal side effects. Depending on the findings on FNAC treatment can be planned.
The second possibility is of giant cell arteritis is due to inflammation of the wall of temporal artery.
To confirm or rule out this possibility some investigations are needed- ESR and vessel biopsy.
Consult your physician for further work up.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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Painful Knots On The Left Side Of Face Below Temple In Front Of Ear. What Could This Be ?

Hello and welcome to HCM Presence of a painful knot like structure below the temple area can be a soft tissue swelling or giant cell arteritis. A clinical examination is essential to narrow the possibilities. A soft tissue swelling can be due to growth of fibrous tissue, muscle, adipose tissue, blood vessel etc. A fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is required to know the character of the soft tissue swelling. It is an office procedure with minimal side effects. Depending on the findings on FNAC treatment can be planned. The second possibility is of giant cell arteritis is due to inflammation of the wall of temporal artery. To confirm or rule out this possibility some investigations are needed- ESR and vessel biopsy. Consult your physician for further work up. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal