What is glossopharyngeal neuralgia?
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, also known as GPN, is an uncommon and painful condition that includes recurring episodes of intense pain in the throat, tongue, tonsil, or middle ear. It’s believed to result from irritation of the ninth cranial nerve, located in the brainstem at the bottom of your brain. Patients living with GPN turn to Penn Medicine for the latest, most advanced treatment options because our neurosurgeons use innovative methods to help you achieve the best possible health outcome.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia symptoms
The symptoms of glossopharyngeal neuralgia may include severe pain in the throat, tongue, ear, or jaw that is intermittent and extreme with periods of relief in between. The severity and frequency of GPN symptoms may vary from person to person. Patients often describe the pain as stabbing, sharp, or like an electric shock. The pain can be so severe and debilitating that it has a significant impact on quality of life, making it important to pursue treatment. If left untreated, glossopharyngeal neuralgia can worsen, causing longer, more frequent attacks of pain.
What causes glossopharyngeal neuralgia?
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia may occur due to the abnormal positioning of blood vessels or tumors putting pressure on the glossopharyngeal nerve which starts at the base of the brainstem and passes through the neck and throat. The pain from GPN is typically caused by a damaged or injured nerve. In some cases, the cause of glossopharyngeal neuralgia is unknown. Various factors or actions can trigger GPN and may vary from person to person.
- Swallowing
- Talking or laughing
- Yawning
- Coughing or sneezing
- Touch or pressure
- Temperature changes
- Stress or anxiety
- Throat or neck cancer
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia diagnosis
There is no single test for glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia can also mimic several other medical conditions that have similar symptoms, including ear infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tonsilitis or throat infections, and trigeminal neuralgia, making it important to seek an experienced provider for diagnosis. At Penn Medicine, your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation which may include neurological exams, blood tests, and diagnostic tests to assess your glossopharyngeal nerve function and ensure a swift and accurate diagnosis.
Does glossopharyngeal neuralgia go away on its own?
GPN typically does not go away on its own. It’s a chronic condition characterized by recurrent and intense episodes of pain caused by the compression or irritation of the glossopharyngeal nerve. While you may experience periods of relief between episodes, GPN pain may worsen, last for longer periods, or occur more frequently if left untreated.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia treatments
There are several options for GPN treatment. Your Penn Medicine care team will work with you to choose the most appropriate treatment option based on the underlying cause of your neuralgia and the severity of your symptoms with the goal of controlling GPN pain. You may be prescribed anti-seizure medications, or these medicines may be combined with a tricyclic antidepressant medication to help manage your pain. Your doctor may also recommend that a pain management specialist inject a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, near the glossopharyngeal nerve to provide temporary relief from pain. Penn Medicine offers these and other advanced GPN treatment options to enhance your quality of life and help you get back to living pain free.