It is our deep conviction that a report of one case, no matter how interesting to an isolated group, should not be undertaken lightly. It is our opinion, however, that a rare syndrome that combines complete disability, unbearable pain, and convulsions, and that is cured by a simple neurosurgical procedure constitutes a situation in which the report of an isolated case is justifiable. The syndrome we would present is readily diagnosed by the symptoms and is completely cured by the intracranial section of the glossopharyngeal nerve. The symptoms are pain in the region of one ear and one side of the throat, occurring at brief intervals, of short duration, and accompanied by bradycardia, at times resulting in attacks of syncope and convulsions.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia has been a recognized entity for 30 years, and it is similar to tic douloureux except for the location of the pain and the trigger zone.