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Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a condition marked by repeated episodes of severe pain in the tongue, throat, ear, and tonsils, which can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Alternative Names:

Cranial mononeuropathy IX

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is believed to be caused by irritation of the ninth cranial nerve. Symptoms usually begin in people over 40 years of age.

In most cases, the source of irritation is never discovered. Nevertheless, tumors or infections of the throat and mouth, compression of the glossopharyngeal nerve by neighboring blood vessels, and other lesions at the base of the skull can sometimes cause this type of neuralgia (nerve pain).

• Review Date: 9/25/2006
• Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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