Unilateral lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve injury caused by a novel laryngeal mask airway: a case report

Abstract Cranial nerve injury by a laryngeal mask airway is rare but a serious complication. The nerve injuries must be prevented during the intubation using a laryngeal mask airway. We report a female patient who complained of tongue numbness, slurred speech, and slight difficulty in swallowing solid food after a hand surgery. She was then diagnosed with unilateral lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve injuries. Extreme head rotation, relatively small oral cavity, and wide rigid composition at the lower part of the novel laryngeal mask probably resulted in cranial nerve injury.

Unilateral lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve injury caused by a novel laryngeal mask airway: a case report.

Cranial nerve injury by a laryngeal mask airway is rare but a serious complication. The nerve injuries must be prevented during the intubation using a laryngeal mask airway. We report a female patient who complained of tongue numbness, slurred speech, and slight difficulty in swallowing solid food after a hand surgery. She was then diagnosed with unilateral lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve injuries. Extreme head rotation, relatively small oral cavity, and wide rigid composition at the lower part of the novel laryngeal mask probably resulted in cranial nerve injury.

[Hypoglossal nerve injury following endotracheal intubation]. / Uitval van de N. hypoglossus na orotracheale intubatie.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation is required to keep the airway open when a patient undergoes surgery under general anaesthetic. Here we present a rare complication of endotracheal intubation. CASE: A 70-year-old woman underwent repeat pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation under general anaesthetic. Because the procedure was expected to take a long time, and because the surgeon might want to perform transoesophageal echocardiography, we chose to carry out endotracheal intubation on this patient. After the operation she showed dyspnoea, problems with swallowing and dysarthria. Physical examination showed elevation of the right pharyngeal arch and deviation of the tongue to the right. This was found to be due to hypoglossal nerve injury. CONCLUSION: Hypoglossal nerve injury is a rare complication of endotracheal intubation. There is no proven effective treatment for this complication. Prognosis is favourable: 69% of the patients recover completely in the first 6 months following intubation. Patients with this complication should receive supportive therapy, such as speech therapy and dietary modifications, to prevent aspiration.

Síndrome de Tapia tras intubación orotraqueal: a propósito de un caso / Tapia syndrome following orotracheal intubation: A case report

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Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review.

CASE: A 37-year-old man was found to have hypoglossal nerve palsy after undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery at C3-C5, an injury that would cause him severe disability and further complications. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the hypoglossal nerve is crucial for cervical spine surgery even at lower levels (C4-C7), including variations in its course and potential displacement during the induction of anesthesia.

Irreversible Hypoglossal Nerve Injury and Concomitant Trigeminal System Dysfunction After Anterior Surgery to the Cervical Spine: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The anterior surgical approach to the cervical spine is known to be safe, and damage to the hypoglossal nerve and trigeminal pathway after the surgery is uncommon. However, once damage to those nerves occurs, the patient's quality of life can be severely impaired by discomfort and disability. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 59-year-old male with concomitant and irreversible hypoglossal nerve and trigeminal system dysfunction after cervical spine surgery by the anterior approach confirmed by an electrodiagnostic study. He had undergone anterior cervical disc fusion through right-sided approach for a herniated intervertebral disc on the C3-4 level and direct cord compression. He had difficulty with tongue movement, dysarthria, and hypesthesia along the lower margin of the right mandible immediately after the surgery. An electrodiagnostic study revealed hypoglossal neuropathy and trigeminal somatosensory pathway dysfunction. Even though the patient received rehabilitation therapy for impaired tongue movement for more than 2 years, this function did not recover. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be aware of the complexity of the anatomy of vulnerable structures, including hypoglossal nerves and the trigeminal nerve system at the cervical spine level, to prevent damage to important neural structures during surgical procedures.

Bilateral hypoglossal nerve damage due to the use of the harmonic focus scalpel.

We describe the case of a 68-year-old man who presented with an anterior floor of mouth squamous cell carcinoma and underwent bilateral neck dissection. Subsequently, the patient developed permanent bilateral hypoglossal palsies, causing significant dysphagia, dysarthria and breathing difficulties. Hypoglossal nerve damage from surgical causes is uncommon, occurring in only 0.42% of functional neck dissections. However, it is the bilateral and permanent features of this case which make it unique. This injury may have been caused by incorrect use of the Harmonic Focus scalpel. Therefore, we discuss the literature demonstrating that the Harmonic Focus scalpel causes more lateral thermal damage than alternative tools, and the widely accepted 3 mm safety limit is not enough to protect important surrounding structures. This case report aims to highlight the need for proper training and specific identification of the hypoglossal nerve to prevent this rare and debilitating complication occurring in future patients.

Bilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy After Occipitocervical Fusion.

A 63-year-old man sustained a Jefferson fracture and was treated nonoperatively by a separate treating surgeon. Because of the symptomatic malalignment and nonunion after 6 months of nonsurgical management, the patient was seen for a second opinion. Occiput to C3 arthrodesis was performed. Postoperatively, the patient was diagnosed with a bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy. Hypoglossal nerve injuries after cervical spine fractures and posterior cervical procedures are a very rare occurrence. This is the first case report of a bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy following occipitocervical arthrodesis.

Hypoglossal Nerve: Anatomy, Anatomical Variations Comorbidities and Clinical Significance.

We review the anatomical variations of the hypoglossal nerve and their surgical and clinical significance, and we report multiple diseases that affect function of the nerve leading to paresis, either unilateral or bilateral. The hypoglossal nerve is the 12th cranial nerve, and knowledge of the detailed anatomy and relationship with critical structures is of paramount importance in neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, and vascular surgery. Numerous studies have depicted conventional landmarks in the cervical part of the hypoglossal nerve, but their findings have not been consistent reliable. We analyze and review these critical landmarks used to identify and preserve the hypoglossal nerve during surgery and to minimize iatrogenic complications in head and neck, neurosurgical, and vascular procedures. We performed an online database search during January and February 2019 to pinpoint the diseases that affect function of the nerve. According to this literature review, apart from iatrogenic injury during surgery, the most frequently observed cause of paresis is pressure due to the presence of tumours and head injury. Furthermore, motor neuron degenerative conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis or tooth infection and presence of an aberrant vessel in the hypoglossal canal can affect the function of the nerve.

[Vagus and hypoglossus palsy after nasotracheal intubation and throat packing].

Ipsilateral extracranial palsy of the hypoglossus and vagus nerve is a rare complication of intubation. This is a case report of a 50-year-old male with unilateral palsy of the hypoglossus and vagus nerve after reoperation for a mandibular fracture. The patient underwent logopaedic treatment, and ten months after the operation there was significant but not complete remission of symptoms. Videostroboscopy revealed near-normalisation of vocal cord movement.

Tapia's Syndrome.

More than 100,000 general anesthetic procedures are conducted in United Kingdom every year for dental interventions, according to large survey of the National Health Services. 1 The risk of mortality has reduced considerably in the past few decades because of the use of safe and effective techniques. However, adverse effects still exist and are dependent on patient, environmental, and operator factors. We present an uncommon complication of intubation that merits due awareness.

A case report of Tapia's syndrome after mastectomy and breast reconstruction under general anesthesia.

RATIONALE: Tapia's syndrome is a rare and potentially anesthesia-related complication that may cause considerable distress to the patient. Here we describe a case of unilateral Tapia's syndrome in a patient undergoing a skin sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 41-years old female underwent right skin sparing total mastectomy and breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap under general anesthesia. On the first postoperative day, she complained left sided tongue deviation, subtle hoarseness and swallowing difficulty. DIAGNOSIS: Tapia's syndrome, a combined paralysis of ipsilateral vocal cord and tongue due to injury to the hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerves, in this case, resulting potentially from head and neck position changes INTERVENTIONS:: The patient was closely observed with the administration of empirical prednisolone 5 mg/day for 3 weeks. OUTCOMES: One month after the surgery, functions of the tongue and vocal cord were completely resolved. LESSONS: Particular attention should be paid to the maintenance of adequate cuff pressure, proper position of endotracheal tube and correct neck positioning, especially when procedures taking a long operation time under endotracheal anesthesia and requiring frequent position changes of the patient's head and neck.

Occipital Condyle Fracture Extending to the Inferior Part of the Clivus.

Although rarely reported in the literature, serious occipital and condylar fractures have been diagnosed more often with the widespread use of computed cranial tomography in traumas. In this paper, a 16-year-old female with a left occipital fracture extending from the left occipital condyle anterior of the hypoglossal canal to the inferior part of the clivus is presented. The fracture which had caused a neurological deficit was cured with conservative treatment. For delayed hypoglossal nerve paralysis due to swelling within the canal, methylprednisolone was started, and a complete cure was attained in about 10 days. Traumatic damage of bony structures of the condyle and clivus at the junction of many vital nerves, vessels, and ligaments may lead to traumatic deficit and death.

Development of a Whole-Task Simulator for Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgical education relies on operative exposure with live patients. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) demands an experienced surgeon with a very low complication rate. The high-risk nature of this procedure and the decline in number of CEAs performed annually has created a gap in residency training. OBJECTIVE: To develop a high-fidelity whole-task simulation for CEA that demonstrates content, construct, and face validity. METHODS: Anatomically accurate models of the human neck were created using multilayered poly-vinyl alcohol hydrogels. Graded polymerization of the hydrogel was achieved by inducing crosslinks during freeze/thaw cycles, stiffening the simulated tissues to achieve realistic tactile properties. Venous bleeding was simulated using pressure bags and a ventricular assistive device created pulsatile flow in the carotid. Ten surgeons performed the simulation under operating room conditions, and metrics were compared among experience levels to determine construct validity. Participants completed surveys about realism and usefulness to evaluate face validity. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in operative measures between attending and resident physicians. The mean operative time for the expert group was 63.6 min vs 138.8 for the resident group (P = .002). There was a difference in mean internal carotid artery clamp time of 43.4 vs 83.2 min (P = .04). There were only 2 hypoglossal nerve injuries, both in the resident group (P = .009). CONCLUSION: The whole-task CEA simulator is a realistic, inexpensive model that offers comprehensive training and allows residents to master skills prior to operating on live patients. Overall, the model demonstrated face and construct validity among neurosurgery and vascular surgeons.

Hypoglossal nerve palsy after airway management for general anesthesia: an analysis of 69 patients.

Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP), or neurapraxia, a rare postoperative complication after airway management, causes ipsilateral tongue deviation, dysarthria, and dysphagia. We reviewed the pathophysiological causes of hypoglossal nerve injury and discuss the associated clinical and procedural characteristics of affected patients. Furthermore, we identified procedural factors potentially affecting HNP recovery duration and propose several measures that may reduce the risk of HNP. While HNP can occur after a variety of surgeries, most cases in the literature were reported after orthopedic and otolaryngology operations, typically in males. The diagnosis is frequently missed by the anesthesia care team in the recovery room due to the delayed symptomatic onset and often requires neurology and otolaryngology evaluations to exclude serious etiologies. Signs and symptoms are self-limited, with resolution occurring within 2 months in 50% of patients, and 80% resolving within 4 months. Currently, there are no specific preventive or therapeutic recommendations. We found 69 cases of HNP after procedural airway management reported in the literature from 1926 to 2013.

Acute tongue swelling, the only initial manifestation of carotid artery dissection: a case report with differentiation of clinical picture.

While it is well known that carotid artery dissection can cause hypoglossal palsy, which can cause muscle atrophy and fat tissue replacement in the chronic stage but what is less well known is the acute edematous stage, which can mimic tongue angioedema. We present a case report of a 52-year-old man presented to accident and emergency department with 3 hr history of right-side tongue swelling. He was initially diagnosed with angioedema and treated with corticosteroids and antihistamines. His tongue swelling persisted and subsequently developed unilateral weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the tongue, head, and neck revealed denervation of the right half of the tongue because of injury to hypoglossal nerve during extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection. There was no evidence of ischemic complication of right cerebral artery distribution. He was commenced on antiplatelet therapy to prevent cerebral ischemia as a prophylactic measure. Swelling and weakness of the tongue subsided in the following months. We believe that hypoglossal palsy caused by ICA dissection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with acute tongue swelling.

Transient unilateral combined paresis of the hypoglossal nerve and lingual nerve following intubation anesthesia.

Nerve damage may occur in the pharyngolaryngeal region during general anesthesia. The most frequently injured nerves are the hypoglossal, lingual and recurrent laryngeal. These injuries may arise in association with several factors, such as laryngoscopy, endotracheal intubation and tube insertion, cuff pressure, mask ventilation, the triple airway maneuver, the oropharyngeal airway, manner of intubation tube insertion, head and neck position and aspiration. Nerve injuries in this region may take the form of an isolated single nerve or of paresis of two nerves together in the form of hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (Tapia's syndrome). However, combined injury of the lingual and hypoglossal nerves following intubation anesthesia is a much rarer condition. The risk of this damage can be reduced with precautionary measures. We describe a case of combined unilateral nervus hypoglossus and nervus lingualis paresis developing after intubation anesthesia.

Paresia transitória unilateral combinada do nervo hipoglosso e do nervo lingual após intubação para anestesia / Transient unilateral combined paresis of the hypoglossal nerve and lingual nerve following intubation anesthesia / Paresia transitoria unilateral combinada del nervio hipoglosoy del nervio lingual después de la intubación para anestesia

Lesões de nervos podem ocorrer na região faringolaríngea durante a anestesia geral. Os nervos mais comumente lesionados são o hipoglosso, lingual e laríngeo recorrente. As lesões podem surgir em decorrência de vários fatores, como, por exemplo, durante a laringoscopia, intubação endotraqueal e inserção de tubo e por pressão do balão, ventilação com máscara, manobra aérea tripla, via aérea orofaríngea, modo de inserção do tubo, posição da cabeça e do pescoço e aspiração. As lesões nervosas nessa região podem acometer um único nervo isolado ou causar a paralisia de dois nervos em conjunto, como a do nervo laríngeo recorrente e hipoglosso (síndrome de Tapia). No entanto, a lesão combinada dos nervos lingual e hipoglosso após intubação para anestesia é uma condição muito mais rara. O risco dessa lesão pode ser reduzido por meio de medidas preventivas. Descrevemos um caso de paresia unilateral combinada dos nervos hipoglosso e lingual após intubação para anestesia.

Nerve damage may occur in the pharyngolaryngeal region during general anesthesia. The most frequently injured nerves are the hypoglossal, lingual and recurrent laryngeal. These injuries may arise in association with several factors, such as laryngoscopy, endotracheal intubation and tube insertion, cuff pressure, mask ventilation, the triple airway maneuver, the oropharyngeal airway, manner of intubation tube insertion, head and neck position and aspiration. Nerve injuries in this region may take the form of an isolated single nerve or of paresis of two nerves together in the form of hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (Tapia's syndrome). However, combined injury of the lingual and hypoglossal nerves following intubation anesthesia is a much rarer condition. The risk of this damage can be reduced with precautionary measures. We describe a case of combined unilateral nervus hypoglossus and nervus lingualis paresis developing after intubation anesthesia.

Durante la anestesia general pueden lesionarse los nervios en la región faringolaríngea. Los nervios más a menudo lesionados son el hipogloso, lingual y laríngeo recurrente. Las lesiones pueden surgir como resultado de varios factores que pueden ser, durante la laringoscopia, intubación endotraqueal e inserción del tubo y por presión del balón, ventilación con mascarilla, maniobra aérea triple, vía aérea orofaríngea, modo de inserción del tubo, posición de la cabeza y del cuello, y aspiración. Las lesiones nerviosas en esa región pueden comprometer un solo nervio aislado o causar la parálisis de 2 nervios en conjunto, como la del nervio laríngeo recurrente hipogloso (síndrome de Tapia). Sin embargo, la lesión combinada de los nervios lingual e hipogloso, después de la intubación para la anestesia, es una condición mucho más rara. El riesgo de una lesión se puede reducir con medidas preventivas. A continuación describimos un caso de paresia unilateral combinada de los nervios hipogloso y lingual después de la intubación para la anestesia.