Glossopharyngeal neuralgia requires differential diagnosis from supraglottic laryngeal neuralgia, atypical facial pain, and temporomandibular joint disorder syndrome.
1. Supraglottic neuralgia: Supraglottic neuralgia originates from the posterior lateral aspect of the thyroid cartilage and the hyoid ligament, the trigger point is located in the pyriform saphenous fossa, and anesthesia of this area can provide temporary relief of pain.
2. Atypical facial paralysis: the pain of atypical facial paralysis starts slowly and worsens gradually, non-sudden and episodic, the pain is diffuse and not easy to be localized, and the range is more than the distribution area of the glossopharyngeal nerve.
3. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Syndrome (TMJDS): It is a kind of pain confined to the temporomandibular joint area, which may occur on one side or both sides at the same time, with manifestations of arthritis, myalgia, tendonitis, and tooth clenching, etc. However, when it is manifested as a unilateral intermittent pain, it is often confused with glossopharyngeal neuralgia, but temporomandibular disorder syndrome is often seen as a murmur in the movement of the joints.
If you have glossopharyngeal neuralgia, you need to consult a doctor in time, under the guidance of a professional physician for reasonable examination and standardized treatment.