geniculate ganglionitis; geniculate neuralgia; nervus intermedius neuralgia

Etiology

• compression of the somatic sensory branch of cranial nerve 7
• herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)
• may occur in combination with trigeminal neuralgia or glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Epidemiology

• rare
• usually occurs in young to middle-aged adults
• more common in women

Clinical manifestations

• severe pain deep in the ear
• may spread to the auditory canal, outer ear, mastoid or eye
• pain is sharp, shooting or burning
• pain can last for hours
• pain can be triggered by cold, noise, swallowing or touch, depending upon the affected individual
• increased salivation, bitter taste, tinnitus & vertigo may occur
• facial paresis (weakness), tinnitus, vertigo & deafness may be associated with herpes zoster

Management

• refractory to medical treatment
• surgical decompression

More general terms

• ganglionitis