Intravenous Fosphenytoin Therapy as an Acute Rescue Treatment for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Crisis in Patients Awaiting Neurosurgical Procedures: A Case Series

Abstract

Few treatments exist for acute attacks of glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). We investigated the efficacy of intravenous fosphenytoin therapy (IFT) during GPN crisis. We evaluated records of 4 consecutive patients with GPN awaiting microvascular decompression (MVD) who received IFT (total, 750 mg). Pain severity was evaluated using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The score was 10 (maximum pain) before treatment. Case 1 (a 52-year-old woman, left GPN): for 12 hours after IFT, pain was eliminated (NRS 0/10); however, severe pain recurred 2 days later. She received MVD 9 days after IFT. Case 2 (a 72-year-old woman, right GPN): pain score reduced to 0/10 immediately after IFT and remained so for 2 days. Severe pain recurred, and she underwent MVD 4 days after IFT. Case 3 (a 69-year-old woman, right GPN): pain was reduced (NRS, 5/10) immediately after IFT and nearly eliminated (1/10) 1 hour later. After 6 hours, severe pain recurred; she received a second IFT 3 days later, and pain score dropped to 1/10. She was pain-free for 24 hours but intermediate pain recurred in 2 days. Microvascular decompression was performed 9 days after the second IFT. Case 4 (a 32-year-old woman, right GPN): Pain score reduced to 0/10 immediately after IFT and remained so for 4 days. She underwent MVD 4 days after IFT. No evidence of recurrence was found throughout the 24-, 22-, 20-, and 5-month follow-ups. These results provide new insights into the innovative therapeutic option of intravenous fosphenytoin and contribute to advancements in treating acute GPN crisis.