Glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with cardiac syncope: Two case reports and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Vago-glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an unusual clinical syndrome characterized by paroxysms of sharp pain in the distribution of glossopharyngeal nerve. Rarely the condition is associated with arrhythmia and cardiac syncope, a phenomenon named vagoglossopharyngeal neuralgia. PRESENTATION OF CASES: Here we present two patients with glosopharyngeal neuralgia associated with repetitive episodes of syncope referred from their primary care physician to neurosurgery department of a general hospital in Crete, Greece. The patients were successfully treated with microvascular decompression. DISCUSSION: A literature review on pathogenesis, diagnosis and management is also performed. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons as well as primary care physicians have to be aware of this rare condition in order to prevent associated life-threatening complications and improve patient’s clinical status with accurate therapy.