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For further information, see CMDT Part 24-02: Facial Pain
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Pain occurs in the throat, about the tonsillar fossa, and sometimes deep in the ear and at the back of the tongue
The pain may be precipitated by swallowing, chewing, talking, or yawning and is sometimes accompanied by syncope
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In most instances, no underlying structural abnormality is present
Microvascular compression of glossopharyngeal nerve may be underlying pathogenesis
Multiple sclerosis or other brainstem lesions are sometimes responsible
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Oxcarbazepine or carbamazepine is the treatment of choice and should be tried before any surgical procedures are considered
Microvascular decompression is often effective and is generally preferred over destructive surgical procedures such as partial rhizotomy in medically refractory cases