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Weisenburg-Sicard-Robineau syndrome

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A disturbance characterized by paroxysms of sharp shooting pain starting in the tonsillar region, lateral pharynx, or base of tongue, radiating deeply into the ear, nasopharynx, and posterior part of the tongue. Irritated by eating, talking, or movement of pharynx or tongue with occasionally increased salivation. Rarely recurrent episodes of syncope.

A rare condition occurring chiefly in the elderly. It may be precipitated by swallowing, yawning, or coughing.

Unlike trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia rarely appears to be associated with intracranial tumors and even more rarely with multiple sclerosis.

The disease picture was first described in 1910 by Theodore H. Weisenburg, by Jean Athanase Sicard and J. Robineau in 1920; however, the nature of the sequenz was first elucidated by the British physician Wilfred Harris (1869-1960) in 1921.

We thank Andre Trombeta for information submitted.

Bibliography

  • T. H. Weisenburg:
    Cerebello-pontine tumor diagnosed for six years as a tic doloreux. The symptoms of irritation of the ninth and twlfth cranial nerves.
    Journal of the American Medical Association, Chicago, 1910, 54: 1600-1604.
  • R. Sicard, J. Robineau:
    Algie vélo-pharyngée-essentielle. Traitement chirurgical.
    Revue neurologique, Paris, 1920, 27: 256-257.
  • W. Harris:
    Persistent pain in lesions of the peripheral and central nervous system.
    Brain, London, 1921, 44: 557.
    Harris coined the term "glossopharyngeal neuralgia".
  • J. B. Doyle:
    A study of four cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
    Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry, Chicago, 1923, 9: 34-36.
  • W. Harris:
    Neuritis and Neuralgia. London, Oxford University Press, 1926: 327-335.
  • W. Harris:
    The Facial Neuralgias. London, Oxford University Press, 1937: 100-102.

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