Long-term resolution of delayed onset hypoglossal nerve palsy following occipital condyle fracture: Case report and review of the literature

• Main Authors: Sudhakar Vadivelu, Zihan Masood, Bryan Krueger, Rudy Marciano, David Chen, Cliff Houseman, Salvatore Insinga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine
• Subjects: Cranial nerve palsy; craniocervical fracture; hypoglossal; nerve compression; neuropraxia; occipital condyle fracture; tongue anesthesia
• Online Access: http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2017;volume=8;issue=2;spage=149;epage=152;aulast=Vadivelu

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.