[Syncope in glossopharyngeal neuralgia].

The case is presented of a 51-year-old man with symptomatic glossopharyngeal neuralgia who exhibited syncope during some of the neuralgic attacks. Clinically and pathophysiologically, these syncopes differ from the "carotid sinus syndrome" by the fact that they are caused by irritation of the sensory fibers of the IXth cerebral nerve instead of the pressoreceptors in the carotid sinus. While carbamazepine (Tegretol) had only transient beneficial effects, complete relief of symptoms was obtained by intracranial section of the glossopharyngeal nerve.