Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

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Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Cranial mononeuropathy IX

Symptoms include severe pain in the areas connected to the ninth cranial nerves. This includes the throat, tonsillar region, posterior third of the tongue, nasopharynx (back of nose and throat), larynx, and ear. The pain is episodic and may be severe. It can sometimes be triggered by swallowing, chewing, speaking, laughing, or coughing.

Tests will be done to identify an abnormality at the base of the skull, particularly tumors. These may include x-rays, CAT scan of the head, and head MRI. Sometimes the MRI may show evidence of inflammation of the glossopharyngeal nerve.

To determine whether a blood vessel is compressing the nerve, pictures of the brain arteries may be obtained using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or conventional angiography (x-rays of the arteries with a dye).

Occasionally, 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: 09/25/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.