Tongue pain as the presenting symptom of glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a case report.
Sai S Vejella, Rachel Boice, Chizobam Idahosa et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 73-year-old woman presented with pain on the left side of the posterior tongue. Clinical assessment and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and angiography supported a diagnosis of classical glossopharyngeal neuralgia. The report emphasizes that tongue pain can be the presenting complaint, despite the diagnostic overlap between glossopharyngeal neuralgia, other cranial neuralgias, and nonneuropathic conditions. The abstract does not describe treatment or the subsequent clinical course.
What made this case unusual
The presenting symptom was localized posterior tongue pain, which can be mistaken for other neuralgias or nonneuropathic oral and pharyngeal conditions.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Assess pain quality, distribution, duration, and triggers when evaluating unexplained tongue pain; clinical findings and high-resolution MRI and angiography can support recognition of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Why it matters
Oral healthcare providers may help identify this diagnosis early and facilitate timely referral for appropriate management.