Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy Due to a Sublingual Space Abscess
We report an unusual case of a hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to a sublingual space abscess in a previously fit and healthy 59-year-old man. The patient presented with fever, dysphagia, trismus, and a left-sided tongue and floor-of-mouth swelling with left hypoglossal nerve palsy. Computed tomogr...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American College of Physicians
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases |
| Online Access: | https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2022.0514 |
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| Summary: | We report an unusual case of a hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to a sublingual space abscess in a previously fit and healthy 59-year-old man. The patient presented with fever, dysphagia, trismus, and a left-sided tongue and floor-of-mouth swelling with left hypoglossal nerve palsy. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 3.5-cm abscess of the left sublingual space. The abscess drained spontaneously while awaiting surgery with resolution of symptoms. Urgent investigation with CT is recommended for every deep neck space infection. Hypoglossal nerve palsy is a rare sign that warrants further investigation to exclude malignancy. |
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| ISSN: | 2767-7664 |