Open AccessLong-term resolution of delayed onset hypoglossal nerve palsy following occipital condyle fracture: Case report and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Sudhakar Vadivelu,
Zihan Masood,
Bryan Krueger,
Rudy Marciano,
David Chen,
Cliff Houseman,
Salvatore Insinga
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of craniovertebral junction and spine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 0976-9285
pISSN - 0974-8237
DOI - 10.4103/jcvjs.jcvjs_34_17
Subject(s) - medicine , occipital condyle , hypoglossal nerve , presentation (obstetrics) , surgery , palsy , condyle , pathology , alternative medicine , tongue
The authors present the case of a patient that demonstrates resolution of delayed onset hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP) subsequent to occipital condyle fracture following a motor vehicle accident. Decompression of the hypoglossal nerve and craniocervical fixation led to satisfactory long-term (>5 years) outcome. There is a scarcity of literature in recognizing HNPs following trauma and a lack of pathophysiological understanding to both a delayed presentation and to resolution versus persistence. This is the first report demonstrating long-term resolution of hypoglossal nerve injury following trauma to the craniocervical junction.