Abstract
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) refers to paroxysmal severe pain located to glossopharyngeal part or ear, which is a rare clinical event. In this report, we describe a patient suffered from glossopharyngeal neuralgia due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD). A 72-year-old Chinese male was referred to our clinic with a complaint of paroxysmal severe pain in the right external auditory canal and auricle since 1 month, which could be precipitated by feed and accompanied with the vagus nerve irritation (bradycardia, low blood pressure, syncope) sometimes. Both computed tomographic angiography and digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a VBD (maximum diameter 5.7 mm) and a large fusiform aneurysm of basilar artery (maximum diameter 13.8 mm). The diagnosis is established on clinical and radiological signs. This is the first report of this kind in the literature. Although a few cases demonstrate that VBD can cause GPN, it should be considered as a possible etiology in patients with GPN.
Highlights
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) refers to paroxysmal severe pain located to glossopharyngeal part and ear, which is a rare clinical event [1]
We describe a patient suffered from GPN due to Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) coexisting with fusiform aneurysm of basilar artery
Symptoms caused by compression of cranial nerve may be alleviated by decompressive surgery, a procedure that is associated with a significant risk of embolic stroke in patients with VBD
Summary
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) refers to paroxysmal severe pain located to glossopharyngeal part and ear, which is a rare clinical event [1]. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is characterized by marked elongation, dilatation and tortuosity of the vertebral and the basilar arteries. VBD is frequently asymptomatic, it may be accompanied with clinical manifestations, such as posterior circulation stroke, intracranial bleeding, cranial nerve disorders, compression of brainstem or obstructive hydrocephalus [2]. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of GPN due to VBD with no other cranial nerve involvement. We describe a patient suffered from GPN due to VBD coexisting with fusiform aneurysm of basilar artery
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