Unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy with malignancy of unknown origin

Abstract

Paralysis of hypoglossal nerve is rare and often underreported. The paralysis leads to the deviation of tongue, dysarthria, dysphagia, and airway dysfunction, affecting the quality of life. We report a case of a middle-aged woman with malignancy of unknown origin with bone and brain metastasis who presented with unilateral deviation of the tongue. Detailed workup inferred with metastasis to the clivus bone which is related to the hypoglossal canal at the base of the skull and the primary origin could not be established. Intravenous steroids, radiotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy were helpful in improvement of the nerve palsy in our patient. Hypoglossal nerve palsy is often an underrated and underreported lesion; however, it can be a starting point for a major underlying problem.

Keywords

• hypoglossal nerve palsy; malignancy of unknown origin; palliative care