Gradual aggravation of idiopathic glossopharyngeal neuralgia due to chronic tonsillitis: A case report

RATIONALE: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is a rare type of neuralgia. Depending on the cause, it is classified as idiopathic GPN and secondary GPN. Secondary GPN can also be caused by a mass effect or inflammation of the tonsils, the innervation area of glossopharyngeal nerve. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was diagnosed idiopathic GPN 8 years ago. The patient had intermittent pain, but the pain was well controlled. From 5 months ago, the pain gradually worsened, the patient complained severe pain which impaired chewing and swallowing function. DIAGNOSES: Idiopathic GPN, secondary GPN, chronic tonsillitis INTERVENTIONS: Percutaneous glossopharyngeal nerve block, glossopharyngeal neurolysis, and pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation of glossopharyngeal nerve were performed. After the diagnosis of tonsillitis, antibiotic therapy was performed OUTCOMES: Two weeks after the antibiotic treatment, the pain decreased simultaneously with the patient's tonsillitis recovery. LESSONS: In a Patient who had already been diagnosed with idiopathic GPN, both pain control and its cause should be considered when the pain is aggravated.