A Case of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia after Tonsillectomy.
- Author:
Hyun Jik LEE
1
;
Woo Yong BAE
;
Tae Woo GU
;
Jong Kuk KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dong-A University College of Medicin, Busan, Korea. doncamel@donga.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia;
Tonsillectomy
- MeSH:
Adult;
Carbamazepine;
Cautery;
Cough;
Deglutition;
Dehydration;
Glossopharyngeal Nerve;
Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases*;
Humans;
Postoperative Hemorrhage;
Tonsillectomy*;
Yawning
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2006;49(5):571-574
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
