title: Bilateral glossopharyngeal neuropathy following chemo and radiation therapy for a primitive neuroectodermal tumour.
abstract: This case describes a young adult male patient diagnosed and treated for a primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) at 3 years of age. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy used following surgical treatment of this tumour have known neurotoxic complications, some of which have delayed onset. In this case, the patient exhibited sudden onset, persistent bilateral and deep ear pain that was consistent with a neuropathy of the glossopharyngeal nerve occurring 17 years after the completion of therapy for PNET. Treatment with pregabalin was successful with near-complete resolution of the complaint. The diagnostic certainty in this case is discussed in relation to the current diagnostic criteria for neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Science, Center for Temporomandibular Disorder and Orofacial Pain, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Heir
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers-Cancer Institute of NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masterson
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024221:Antineoplastic Protocols; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005930:Glossopharyngeal Nerve; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D018242:Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive / Q000628:therapy*; D000069583:Pregabalin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000069583:Pregabalin
keywords: chemotherapy; glossopharyngeal nerve; neuroecto-dermal tumour-primitive; otitis media; pain; temporomandibular joint