General Medical Information

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

Alan G. Finkel
J. Douglas Mann
Thomas F. Lundeen

The glossopharyngeal nerve is also subject to development of neuritic-type pain similar in its temporal profile, pain characteristics, and intensity to that of trigeminal neuralgia. The sharp lancinating pain is unilateral and is located variably in the posterior pharynx, soft palate, base of the tongue, ear, mastoid, or side of the head. There may be associated hiccuping, nausea, vertigo, tinnitus, a sense of fullness in the ear, hearing loss, or dysgeusia. The pattern of attacks is very unpredictable. Triggers may be located in the throat. Workup and treatment are the same as for trigeminal neuralgia.