Glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with cardiac syncope: Two case reports and literature review. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krasoudakis, Antonios; Anyfantakis, Dimitrios; Hadjipetrou, Athanasios; Kastanakis, Miltiades; Symvoulakis, Emmanouil K.; Marathianos, Stavros
• Is Part Of: International journal of surgery case reports. Volume 12(2015)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: Glosopharyngeal neuralgia -- Cardiac syncope -- Pathogenesis -- Management; Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative -- Periodicals; Surgery; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2015.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-2612

Abstract

Highlights: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare craniofacial syndrome sometimes associated by syncope. A synthesis on topics such as pathogenesis, diagnosis and management is presented. A high levels of awareness for diagnosis and management is required from surgeons. Abstract: Introduction: Vago-glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an unusual clinical syndrome characterized by paroxysms of sharp pain in the distribution of glossopharyngeal nerve. Rarely the condition is associated with arrhythmia and cardiac syncope, a phenomenon named vagoglossopharyngeal neuralgia. Presentation of Cases: Here we present two patients with glosopharyngeal neuralgia associated with repetitive episodes of syncope referred from their primary care physician to neurosurgery department of a general hospital in Crete, Greece. The patients were successfully treated with microvascular decompression. Discussion: A literature review on pathogenesis, diagnosis and management is also performed. Conclusions: Surgeons as well as primary care physicians have to be aware of this rare condition in order to prevent associated life-threatening complications and improve patient's clinical status with accurate therapy.