Cranial neuralgia refers to pain originating in one or more of the cranial nerves. The twelve cranial nerves exit from the brain through openings in the skull to conduct sensory, motor and autonomic nerve impulses to and from the brain, face and head. Among these nerves, the trigeminal and glossopharyngeal nerves conduct sensory nerve impulses and can be subject to neuralgia. The precise location of the neuralgia symptoms depends on the nerve involved.
Eye, Cheek and Lower Facial Pain
Instances of short, shock-like episodes of intense sharp pain in the eye, cheek or lower half of the face are sometimes an indicator of trigeminal neuralgia. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve, and its functions include conducting sensory impulses to the face, mouth and sinuses as well as motor control of the muscles involved in chewing. The Merck Manual explains that trigeminal neuralgia is often idiopathic, meaning its cause is unknown. It can result from complications due to multiple sclerosis, herpes zoster or tumors.
Tongue, Throat, Ear and Tonsil Pain
Severe stabbing pain located in the back of the nose, throat or tongue can be a symptom of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, warns the New York Times Health Guide. The glossopharyngeal nerve is the ninth cranial nerve, and it functions in providing motor nerve impulses to a muscle called the stylopharyngeus. It also provides parasympathetic nerve impulses to the parotid glands in the cheeks and provides special sensory detection from the taste buds at the back of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve also provides for the detection of sensory input from the lining of the pharynx, middle ear and back of the tongue, the same areas affected when the pain of glossopharyngeal neuralgia strikes.
Like trigeminal neuralgia, the causes of glossopharyngeal neuralgia are often unclear. Pressure on the nerve due to tumors, blood vessels or infections may contribute to irritation of the nerve, leading to pain.
Treatment
Without an accurate diagnosis of the cause of cranial neuralgia, it is difficult to treat the source of the pain. Treatments often focus on relieving the symptoms. Anti-seizure drugs can be prescribed to slow the nerve impulses. Painkilling medication or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is sometimes used.
In cases of prolonged, chronic cranial neuralgia, a physician might suggest deadening the nerve with gamma rays or surgical procedures to permanently destroy malfunctioning nerve tissue, according to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine.
