Infratemporal Fossa Metastasis of Non-Small-Cell Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Neoplasms in the infratemporal fossa (ITF) are rare and insidious lesions that cause various symptoms due to involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), paranasal sinuses, and orbit. Here, we report a case of metastatic non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma in the ITF. The patient presented with facial pain and limited mouth opening, which did not respond to treatment for TMJ disorder, and a neoplasm was discovered in the ITF through medical imaging. With an open biopsy, the diagnosis was finalized. This report suggested that the physician should consider lesions in the ITF when facial pain and limited mouth opening failed local treatment, and distant metastasis of malignant tumor should be alerted. We also reviewed the literature regarding metastatic cancer to the ITF.