Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare pain condition affecting the glossopharyngeal nerve, which is deep in the neck. The pain associated with this condition can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and may occur multiple times a day or only a few times a week. Many people can identify a specific trigger that causes the pain, while for others there is no apparent cause. Generally, this condition is seen in older adults.
What’s in this section?
Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms of glossopharyngeal neuralgia can include severe pain in the following areas:
- Back of the nose and throat
- Back of the tongue
- Ear
- Tonsil area
- Voice box
Symptoms can be triggered or made worse by jaw and throat movement, such as chewing, coughing or sneezing, laughing, talking and swallowing.
Potential Causes
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia can be caused by pressure on the glossopharyngeal nerve that helps control sensory, parasympathetic and motor functions. This pressure can be the result of blood vessels, growths, tumors or infection.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a glossopharyngeal neuralgia starts with a physical exam and medical history. Other procedures and tests may be needed to diagnose this condition, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and x-rays .
Treatment Options
There are different treatment options depending on the severity of your symptoms:
- Medication to manage pain
- Microvascular decompression
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