Int Dent J
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Pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the surrounding region constitutes a symptom of TMJ disorders. Various dental causes usually stimulate the trigeminal nerve, developing facial pain which triggers trigeminal neuralgia. However, trigeminal neuralgia may also arise from irritation of the endocranial root of the nerve, due to occult damage which has not yet manifested other symptoms, for example a meningioma. ⋯ The case of a 47-year-old woman is presented who complained of symptoms of a painful TMJ disorder. She was initially treated with the appropriate dental procedures and, upon continuation of the pain, was examined with CT scanning, which proved to be negative despite the existence of a cerebral lesion. Further investigation with MRI, however, revealed a meningioma of 5 mm size, in the region of the cerebellopontine angle.