Swallowing, talking, chewing, yawning or laughing can trigger this particular form of neuralgia. Part of the pathway involving this pain syndrome involves the vagus nerve. As a result, this pain syndrome is the only one that may be associated with bradycardia or syncope. 4 Diagnosis is made by eliciting the appropriate history. Other conditions such as demylinating disease, neoplasm, carcinomatous meningitis or peritonsillar absess can produce pain indistinguishable from this syndrome.
Treatment is identical to the treatment outlined for trigeminal neuralgia.
Infrequently, rhizotomy may be necessary. 5 Occipital Neuralgia Occipital neuralgia is a chronic pain syndrome originating from irritation of the greater occipital nerve. The pain associated with this syndrome is localized to the distribution of the greater occipital nerve. This pain syndrome is frequently a cause of chronic daily headaches. Occipital neuralgia is commonly a result of spasm of the cervical paraspinal muscles.