Trigeminal Neuralgia, Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia, and Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome: An Update

Table 3

Characteristics and management of glossopharyngeal neuralgia in the maxillofacial region.

Diseases	Clinical features	Pharmacological treatments	Surgical /local treatments	Limitation
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia	Pain, dull type; Pain duration, short duration; Intensity, mild to moderate; Localization, diffuse; Characteristics, usually pain in the throat/ mouth floor; Trigger point, swallowing	Carbamazepine	GN nerve block	(i) Chance of trauma to the internal jugular vein and carotid artery; (ii) Hematoma formation
		Gabapentin; pregabalin	Myotherapy; Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal rhizotomy	(i) Regular monitoring is not possible; (ii) Recurrence; (iii) Hoarseness of voice; (iv) Vocal cord paralysis, and dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing)
			Injections	(i) As it is a painful procedure, the patient feels uncomfortable during injection
			Direct section of the nerve in the cerebellopontine angle	(i) High morbidity with neurologic and life threatening condition; (ii) Thromboembolic complication; (iii) Meningitis; (iv) Cerebrospinal fluid leak,; (v) Cutaneous flap distension; (vi) Facial nerve dysfunction; (vii) Ocular dysfunction; (viii) Tinnitus
		Sedatives; (on condition)	Microvascular decompression	(i) Low recurrence of pain; (ii) Chance of nerve damage result; (iii) Hoarseness; (iv) Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); (v) Unsteady gait