Osteocavitation lesions (Ratner bone cavities): frequently misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia--a case report.

The disorder termed osteocavitation lesion has been described in the literature since at least 1976. This disorder has often been misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia or atypical facial pain, and, unfortunately, patients have either continued to suffer or inappropriate treatment or treatments have been prescribed in an attempt to rid the patient of this terrible pain disorder. These symptoms, which can be misinterpreted as trigeminal neuralgia, include a history of undiagnosed facial pain, a history of tooth extraction, the presence of trigger areas and normal radiographic findings. A confirmed diagnosis of osteocavitation lesion can be treated only with surgery.