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Bilateral hypoglossal nerve injury following the use of the laryngeal mask airway
Author(s) -
Stewart A.,
Lindsay W. A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2044.2002.02231.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hypoglossal nerve , airway , laryngeal mask airway , neck injury , anesthesia , larynx , recurrent laryngeal nerve , superior laryngeal nerve , surgery , tongue , poison control , medical emergency , pathology , thyroid
A healthy 54‐year‐old man undergoing elective knee arthroscopy developed bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy, lasting 6 weeks following the use of a laryngeal mask airway. He suffered impairment of speech and difficulty in swallowing, the latter resulting in almost 7 kg loss of weight within 2 weeks of surgery. We discuss the possible aetiology of the injury and review the literature describing injuries to the hypoglossal nerve.