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Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Definition

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is a rare condition in which there are repeated episodes of severe pain in the tongue, throat, ear, and tonsils. The pain can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Causes

GPN is believed to be caused by irritation of the ninth cranial nerve, called the glossopharyngeal nerve. Symptoms usually begin in people over age 50.

In most cases, the source of irritation is never found. Possible causes for this type of nerve pain (neuralgia) are:

• Blood vessels pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve

• Growths at the base of the skull pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve

• Tumors or infections of the throat and mouth pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve

Symptoms

The pain usually occurs on one side of the head and may be jabbing. In rare cases, both sides are involved. Symptoms include severe pain in areas connected to the ninth cranial nerve:

• Back of the nose and throat (nasopharynx)

• Back of the tongue

• Ear

• Throat

• Tonsil area

• Voice box (larynx)

The pain occurs in episodes and may be severe. The episodes can occur many times each day and awaken the person from sleep. It can sometimes be triggered by:

• Chewing

• Coughing

• Laughing

• Speaking

• Swallowing

• Yawning

• Sneezing

• Cold beverages

• Touching (a blunt object to the tonsil of the affected side)

Exams and Tests

Tests will be done to identify problems, such as tumors, at the base of the skull. Tests may include:

• Blood tests to rule out any infection or tumor

• CT scan of the head

• MRI of the head

• X-rays of the head or neck

Sometimes the MRI may show swelling (inflammation) of the glossopharyngeal nerve.

To find out whether a blood vessel is pressing on the nerve, pictures of the brain arteries may be taken using:

• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

• CT angiogram

• X-rays of the arteries with a dye (conventional angiography)

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control pain. The most effective medicines are antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine. Antidepressants may help certain people.

In severe cases, when pain is difficult to treat, surgery to take pressure off the glossopharyngeal nerve may be needed. This is called microvascular decompression. The nerve can also be cut (rhizotomy). Both surgeries are effective. If a cause of the neuralgia is found, treatment should control the underlying problem.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the cause of the problem and the effectiveness of the first treatment. Surgery is considered effective for people who do not benefit from medicines.

Possible Complications

Complications of GPN may include:

• Slow pulse and fainting may occur when pain is severe

• Damage to the carotid artery or internal jugular vein due to injuries, such as a stab wound, that may be associated with GPN

• Difficulty in swallowing food and speaking

• Side effects of the medicines used

When to Contact a Medical Professional

See your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of GPN.

See a pain specialist if the pain is severe, to be sure that you are aware of all your options for controlling pain.

References

Digre KB. Headaches and other head pain. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 367.

Ko MW, Prasad S. Headache, facial pain, and disorders of facial sensation. In: Liu GT, Volpe NJ, Galetta SL, eds. Liu, Volpe, and Galetta's Neuro-Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 19.

Miller JP, Burchiel KJ. Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 200.

Narouze S, Pope JE. Orofacial pain. In: Benzon HT, Raja SN, Liu SS, Fishman SM, Cohen SP, eds. Essentials of Pain Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 23.

Review Date: 6/13/2024

Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.