Ultrasound-Guided Glossopharyngeal Nerve Block at Pharyngeal Wall Level in a Patient with Carcinoma Tongue

Prashant Sirohiya, Vinod Kumar, Pratishtha Yadav, Sachidanand Jee Bharti, Prashant Sirohiya, Vinod Kumar, Pratishtha Yadav, Sachidanand Jee Bharti

Abstract

Glossopharyngeal nerve (GPN) block is used for pain management in patients' head and neck malignancy. The GPN is a mixed nerve containing both motor and sensory fibers. The usual approaches for GPN blocks are usually topical, intraoral, or peristyloid. Topical anesthesia may be difficult in patients with limited mouth opening or when there is inflammation in the area of interest. Intraoral and peristyloid approaches have risk of inadvertent neurovascular injection. The intraoral technique may lead to long-lasting oropharyngeal discomfort. Hence, GPN block is done at the pharyngeal wall level for pain relief.

Keywords: Glossopharyngeal nerve; pain; ultrasound.

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Copyright: © 2020 Indian Journal of Palliative Care.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Position of ultrasound probe
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasound image showing pharyngeal wall and needle tip

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Source: PubMed

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