A 51-year-old woman presents with severe stabbing pain along her left cheek. What is the most likely diagnosis?

The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is most likely in this scenario due to the patient's presentation of severe stabbing pain along the left cheek. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by sudden, severe, and electric shock-like pain that occurs along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, which can affect the cheek, jaw, and forehead.

Typically, the episodes of pain can be triggered by activities such as chewing, talking, or touching the face, which aligns with the nature of the symptoms being described. The description of the pain as "stabbing" is also classic for this condition, as it is often intense and brief, making it distinct from other types of facial pain.

Other potential conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder may cause discomfort in the jaw area, but it typically presents with more persistent and aching pain rather than acute, stabbing sensations. Cluster headaches can cause severe pain, typically around the eye and can be unilateral, but the pain description and location do not align as closely as with trigeminal neuralgia. Sinusitis may cause facial pain, but it usually accompanies other symptoms like nasal congestion or discharge, which are not mentioned in this case.

Therefore, given the specific qualities of the pain reported, trigeminal