What can cause furrowing/indentation of the temples?
 

Over the past few years, my temples have sort of collapsed inward. Has anyone ever heard of this condition? Is there a technical name? I've found "lypoatrophy" which is loss of facial fat (typical of AIDS patients), but for me the temples seem to be the only area affected, and the right side more than the left. What diseases might it be associated with? I'm pretty sure I have some kind of autoimmune condition - my other symptons are hypothyroidism, oseoporosis, TMJ, back/neck pain/stiffness, headaches. I'm in the process of finding a diagnosis. Any info much appreciated. Picture attached.

My friend, Maurine, went to the doctor for another malady. He mentioned her sunken temples and determined it was from a quick weight loss.

I hope you are able to find some answers.

Welcome to NeuroTalk, roell29! :)

Thanks Rochelle. At least I found what appears to be the common name for it - "temporal wasting". Not too pretty, but looks like it might be temporary which is good. It can be caused by inflammation weakening the temporal muscles. I'm guessing the same inflammation is causing my TMJ and both are related to an underlying autoimmune syndrome. Take care.

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

This might be the cause:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paget%27s_disease_of_bone

It is very difficult to use the internet for diagnosis.
So getting the testing needed for this condition is the only way
you will know for sure.

But based on your symptoms so far, Paget's is worth looking into.

justcare01
 

I also experienced sunken temples. It is not as extreme as your picture - but it came on suddenly. It also has occured after a sudden weight loss, so I hope that is all it is. I am experiencing some headaches as well. I have not brought it up to my doctor because she is currently running tests regarding the back pain I am also experiencing. I just had a cervical and lumbar MRI and am waiting for the results. Prior I had the Thoriac MRI and a bone scan which came out fine. Problems first started with rapid weight loss in my pelvic area, followed by pain in my groin area and then the pain was transfered to my middle back and then upper back. As a result I have lost much fat in my legs as well as other places. They have run CT scans and Ultrasounds and are kinda baffled as to what is wrong with me. I hope you find out soon what is wrong. I have been undergoing test for over a month now. I just hope the outcome is hopeful and they can fix what is wrong.

Yes, I've heard of it. My neurologist pointed it out this morning. I have MS. I guess I've lost quite a bit of weight. I'm 6'4" and I've hovered as low as 160lbs. for a while now. She mentioned the late stage cancer and AIDS of which I have neither as far as one can tell. I just need to "eat and move".

How is your overall health, weight? You know that the best place for answers is your doctor. He or she know you.

I have no answer of course. But my next move would be to call someone who does.

Best of all,
Al

I have this too, what now??
 

I have temporal wasting on my right temple, and none at all on my left side. I am 21 and when I look back at school photos it likes like it started around 7th or 8th grade... I believe, maybe sooner. Should I be concerned? Is it a serious condition? I know people have related it to HIV or TB, but I've had a TB test a little over a year ago and it was negative, and there is no way I can have HIV... I am just wondering what you know about it, because I am concerned and wondering if I should be worried. If you or anyone could email me back with some answers that would be much appreciated,,,
my email is *edit* please PM member
thank you.

Hi and Welcome to NT, petros!

Sorry, I don't know much about temporal wasting. Have you mentioned it to your doc yet?

Well i got a CT scan and they saw no tumors, my bones are healthy, but they could obviously see that the muscle is wasting away. They want me to take the images into a neurologist but i dont exactly have the money for that right now.. and I believe it is still getting worse on my right side, it just keeps wasting away very slowly.

I know it's been a while since someone has posted here, but please respond!
 

It has taken a long time for me to find my way to this board.
I was diagnosed with MS in 2002 at 28 years old. My course has been somewhat benign, so when my face started to cave in I just focused on the cosmetic reasons. My neurologist never told me there was a connection to the temple hollowing, or sunken eyes.

I'm attaching some pictures before I went down the plastic surgery road.
I don't look good. I thought these were just cosmetic peoblems that were occuring with age.

I had a doctor in Boston put in "bone filler" in my temples. He went a little overboard and overstuffed my temples.

Now I'm understanding that the problem was a wasting of my temporalis muscle due to the MS (My begign MS).

Has anyone else ever done anything like this? Have you had a better outcome?

I have come to a dark place.