[Glossopharyngeal neuralgia]

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, such less common than trigeminal neuralgia, is characterized by paroxysm of unilateral pain with sudden onset radiating from the oropharynx and base of the tongue, to the ear. Often precipitated by swallowing the glossopharyngeal neuralgia is occasionally accompanied by bradycardia or syncope. Conservative treatment consists of anticonvulsant drugs. Surgical treatment consists of section of the rootlets of the ninth and, in part, tenth cranial nerves. In some selected patients microvascular decompression without section of rootlets is also been made.