The Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Treatment of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia With Pain Radiating to the Innervated Area of the Trigeminal Nerve.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) with or without glossopharyngeal nerve and partial vagus nerve rhizotomy for treating glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) patients with pain radiating to the area innervated by the trigeminal nerve.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed to collect the clinical data from GPN patients who had pain in the area innervated by the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves and radiating to the innervated area of the trigeminal nerve. All patients underwent surgical treatment. The immediate and long-term outcomes were investigated to show the efficacy and safety of the treatment. Information on pain recurrence and complications was collected.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were recruited. The pain area radiated to the trigeminal nerve distribution, including the anterior auricle (57.1%), temple (50%), cheek (28.6%), mandibular gingiva (42.9%), and anterior part of the tongue (14.3%). Swallowing was the most common trigger (85.7%) in these patients. Seven patients underwent MVD of the offending vessel at the root entry zone (REZ) of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. Seven patients underwent MVD plus glossopharyngeal nerve rhizotomy with or without partial vagus nerve rhizotomy. Thirteen patients experienced complete pain relief during the follow-up (mean 49.3 months).

CONCLUSIONS

GPN patients with pain radiating to the area innervated by the trigeminal nerve could be successfully treated solely by management of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. In these GPN patients, differential diagnosis is extremely important to identify the true diagnosis, which would reduce the occurrence of iatrogenic injury of the trigeminal nerve during treatment.