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Glossopharyngeal neuralgia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Cranial mononeuropathy IX

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 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:

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:

Certain blood tests may be needed when the diagnosis is not clear to rule out other causes of peripheral nerve problems (neuropathy), such as high blood sugar.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/6/2008
  • Daniel Kantor, MD, Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.