title: An unusual case of isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to osteophytic projection from the atlanto-occipital joint.
abstract: We describe an unusual and rare case of isolated left hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to compression from a prominent degenerative osteophyte from the left atlanto-occipital joint. The hypoglossal nerve is a purely motor cranial nerve innervating the tongue musculature. Palsy of the hypoglossal nerve is frequently associated with other cranial nerve palsies and can be related to vascular, neoplastic, infectious or traumatic conditions. Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy is quite rare and very few cases have been reported in the literature to date.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital; Ottawa, ON, Canada - catorres@toh.on.ca.
authors: Satya Narayana
authors: SN
authors: Patro
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital; Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Torres
authors: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX, USA.
authors: Roy
authors: R
authors: Riascos
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020437:Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011859:Radiography
keywords: CT; MRI; atlanto-occipital joint; hypoglossal nerve palsy; osteophyte