A Mysterious Case of Recurrent Nervus Intermedius Neuralgia (P2-15.017)

The nervus intermedius is a small branch of the facial nerve that carries general visceral efferent fibers and special visceral afferent fibers involved in taste, as well as general somatic afferent fibers. The international Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition defines nervus intermedius neuralgia as pain within distribution of intermedius nerve, which innervates the auditory canal, auricle, and part of the mastoid process. It is characterized by brief paroxysms of intense, sharp pain in the ear lasting for seconds to minutes. Treatment options include analgesics, anticonvulsants, and surgery. We present a case of a patient with an atypical presentation of nervus intermedius neuralgia.