title: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with a vascular loop demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: We report two cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with a vascular loop of the postero-inferior cerebellar artery, diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Reviewing the literature, we found this to be the first report of a magnetic resonance-validated vascular abnormality related to such a condition. One patient was cured by surgical decompression, confirming the role of the abnormal vessel in the pain. As with trigeminal neuralgia, a possible vascular aetiology should be considered in glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
authors.affiliation: Service de Neurochirurgie 2, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpétrière, Paris.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Boch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oppenheim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biondi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marsault
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Philippon
mesh_terms: D002531:Cerebellum / Q000098:blood supply*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005930:Glossopharyngeal Nerve; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology*