Definition of Glossopharyngeal neuralgia:

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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

In most cases, the source of irritation is never found. Some 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:

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. It is usually on one side, and feels jabbing. 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

Signs and tests:

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

• Blood tests (sugar level) to look for the causes of nerve damage
• 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)
• X-rays of the arteries with a dye (conventional angiography)

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control pain. Over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are not very effective for relieving glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

The most effective drugs are antiseizure medications, such as carbamazepine, gabapentin, and phenytoin. Some antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline, may help certain people.

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

Expectations (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 medications.

Complications:

Slow pulse and fainting may occur when pain is severe.

Medications used to treat this condition can have side effects.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. See a pain specialist if the pain is severe to be sure that you are aware of all your options for controlling pain.