[A patient with glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a (un)known trap]

A man visited the dentist regularly during the past 6 years with a complaint about severe pain. Treatment met with uneven success. The patient now complained about severe, radiating pain which resulted from contact between the tongue and the bridge. The teeth that seemed to be involved were inspected and, after diagnostic testing, restoratively and endodontically treated. When the pain persisted, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon was consulted; the surgeon diagnosed the problem as a glossopharyngeal neuralgia. The neuralgia was treated with carbazamzepine, after which the pain diminished. Pain that seems to be pulpitis pain may be caused by a neuralgia, in this case a glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Triggers for the pain can be swallowing, chewing, talking, coughing or yawning. Although the incidence is low, when pain persists after initial treatment, a (glossopharyngeus) neuralgia should be seriously considered.