Linear Accelerator-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia is Safe and Effective – Report of Two Cases
Thamilini Pathmarajah, Rohan R. Katipally, Everardo Flores-Martinez, Karl J. Farrey, Mark C. Korpics, Aranee P. Sivananthan, Peter C. Warnke, Steven J. Chmura, Kamil M. Yenice and Sean P. Pitroda
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is an uncommon craniofacial pain disorder characterized by paroxysmal, severe, lancinating pain involving the ear, tonsillar fossa, base of tongue, or jaw.[1] Patients who are refractory to medications and surgery (e.g. microvascular decompression) or poor surgical candidates are potential candidates for radiotherapy using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The published evidence for SRS in GPN is limited and all retrospective series utilize Gamma Knife.[2,3] Only a single case report exists utilizing frameless linear accelerator (Linac)-based SRS.[4] Herein, we report two cases that further support the safety and efficacy of both frame-based and frameless Linac-based SRS for this rare craniofacial pain disorder.
Keywords: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, frameless stereotactic radiosurgery
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