Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2006 May;49(5):571-574.

A Case of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia after Tonsillectomy

• Lee HJ
• Bae WY
• Gu TW
• Kim JK

Abstract

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed by an otorhinolaryngologist. Postoperative hemorrhage and dehydration are two of the most common complications, but glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an unusual complication encountered in tonsillectomy. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is characterized by paroxysms of ipsilateral and severe lancinating pain occurring in the distribution of the nerve. The pain may be spontaneous or precipitated by a variety of actions that stimulate the region supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve namely yawning, coughing, swallowing and talking. The proximity between the glossopharyngeal nerve and the tonsillar fossa suggests that dissection in the correct surgical plane during tonsillectomy is important for avoiding injury to the glossopharyngeal nerve. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia after tonsillectomy is induced by intraoperative cauterization, nerve compression or iatrogenic trauma. Management of glossopharyngeal neuralgia induced by tonsillectomy should be given a trial of anti-convulsant medication like carbamazepine or glossopharyngeal nerve resection. A case of glossopharyngeal neuralgia caused by tonsillectomy was experienced by a 29-year-old man, and this case was reported and its aetiology was discussed.

Keyword

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia; Tonsillectomy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Carbamazepine
Cautery
Cough
Deglutition
Dehydration
Glossopharyngeal Nerve
Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases*
Humans
Postoperative Hemorrhage
Tonsillectomy*
Yawning
Carbamazepine