Left Glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a rare pathology. A case report

Keywords: Neuralgia, Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases, Decompression Surgery

Abstract

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare pathology, with a sharp and stabbing pain in the tonsillar fossa, angle of the jaw and base of the tongue. Its main etiology is neurovascular compression, which can be diagnosed with a brain MRI. Its management is mainly medical with drug, especially carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, and if there is no response, surgery is performed through microvascular decompression and interposition of soft material (polytetrafluoroethylene) with or without transection of IX cranial nerve. We present the case of a 64-year-old woman, with controlled hypertension, with classic pain, who did not relieve pain with 5 antineuropathic drugs and 1 opioid derivative. Brain MRI with FIESTA sequence shows a neurovascular compression of the glossopharyngeal nerve with the left PICA. Microvascular decompression of the glossopharyngeal nerve was performed, with resolution of the symptoms and without recurrence, and she was discharged soon. We concluded that the surgical management of this pathology in refractory cases to medical treatment is an option with good success rates and low morbidity.

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Published
2022-09-20
How to Cite
1.
Vargas Urbina JF, Palacios Santos F, Rosell Ortiz A, Lazón Ayala M. Left Glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a rare pathology. A case report. Acta Med Peru [Internet]. 2022Sep.20 [cited 2024Mar.29];39(3). Available from: http://www.amp.cmp.org.pe/index.php/AMP/article/view/2380
Section
CASE REPORTS

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