When Glassopharyngeal Neuralgia is mentioned, it is meant to describe the pain that occurs in the area where the glassopharyngeal nerve distributes. Since this nerve affects the tongue, pharynx, tonsils, ear and the side of the jaw, pain is also seen in these areas. It is a sudden, severe, lightning-like pain that sometimes occurs several times a day or once a week. Since eating, drinking water and sometimes even talking can trigger pain, patients are extremely cautious while doing these. Glassopharyngeal Neuralgia, which is generally seen unilaterally, is a condition that negatively affects a person's daily life and reduces the quality of life. It is less common in society than Trigeminal Neuralgia, it is possible to say that the incidence rate is approximately half in ten thousand.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
The most important problem regarding the diagnosis of Glassopharyngeal Neuralgia is pain in the tonsil and pharynx. This is why patients turn to ear, nose and throat specialists. However, since the disease is not within the field of ear, nose and throat diseases, appropriate treatment cannot be provided and unfortunately patients lose time for treatment. A neurologist and neurosurgeon should be consulted in case of sudden, electric shock or lightning-like pain felt in these areas.
The patient's history is very important for diagnosis. After listening to the patient's story, an MRI is performed to check whether there is a tumor or whether a vessel has crushed the nerve. If a tumor is seen on MRI, surgery is required immediately. If the problem is caused by a vein crushing this nerve, surgery is not performed and medication is administered. However, in some patients, the problem cannot be resolved with medication and surgery may be necessary. There are two options in surgery; If the vessel crushes the nerve, that vessel can be eliminated, that nerve can be cut, or Gamma Knife Radiosurgery can be applied to the nerve.
In general, surgery is preferred if the patient does not have a condition that prevents surgery. Afterwards, one day in intensive care and three days in hospital are required. However, it should be known that there is a risk of recurrence after surgery.
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