Microvascular decompression for the treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare disorder. In this article, the condition is defined and its clinical features and diagnostic criteria are described. Treatment of this condition has changed over the years, and evolution of surgical treatment is reviewed. Microvascular decompression for glossopharyngeal neuralgia is described in detail, emphasizing special preoperative anesthetic considerations and up-to-date results and complications.