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.
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 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 down on the glossopharyngeal nerve
Growths (lesions) at the base of the skull
Tumors or infections of the throat and mouth
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:
X-rays of the arteries with a dye (conventional angiography)
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.
Review Date: 2/6/2008
Reviewed By: 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.
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