Quiz Form

Question Date: 03/10/2023

Question: Which statement is false regarding Glossopharyngeal neuralgia?

Options:

• Cardiac arrest is not seen in glossopharyngeal neuralgia
• An elongated styloid process may cause similar pain
• Local anesthetic spray on the pharynx may be useful for diagnosis
• Glossopharyngeal nerve sectioning is an effective treatment option

Correct Answer: Cardiac arrest is not seen in glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Explaination: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia presents with unilateral paroxysmal pain in the throat, ear and beneath the angle of the jaw, provoked by swallowing, yawning and talking. Some 2% of patients have syncope with their pain due to stimulation of the dorsal motor nucleus of vagus. Vagal stimulation causes bradycardia, hypotension, seizure or cardiac arrest. Neurovascular compression by Posterior inferior cerebellar artery or a structural lesion may cause glossopharyngeal neuralgia. An elongated styloid process causes similar pain (Eagle syndrome) Local anesthetic spray on the posterior pharynx provides temporary relief and may be helpful diagnostically. Medical management similar to trigeminal neuralgia or microvascular decompression are treatment options, nerve sectioning may provide best relief but may cause dysphagia.

Reference: Robertson C. Cranial Neuralgias. Continuum 2021 27(3 Headache)665-685.