Lesion of facial nerve above geniculate ganglion is associated with

The pain of GN is sharp, shooting or burning and can last for hours. Painful attacks can be triggered by cold, noise, swallowing or touch, but triggers are usually unique to the sufferer. Other related symptoms that may be experienced include increased salivation, bitter taste, tinnitus, and veigo. This disorder usually occurs in young to middle-aged adults, and more commonly in women. Geniculate Neuralgia may be caused by compression of somatic sensory branch of cranial nerve VII which goes through the nervus intermedius. In sufferers of GN, signals sent along these nerves are altered and interpreted by the geniculate ganglion (a structure in the brain) as GN pain. GN may also develop following herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome), where cold sores occur on the eardrum or ear. This may also be associated with facial paresis (weakness), tinnitus, veigo, and deafness.