Unilateral lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve injury caused by a novel laryngeal mask airway: a case report

Abstract Cranial nerve injury by a laryngeal mask airway is rare but a serious complication. The nerve injuries must be prevented during the intubation using a laryngeal mask airway. We report a female patient who complained of tongue numbness, slurred speech, and slight difficulty in swallowing solid food after a hand surgery. She was then diagnosed with unilateral lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve injuries. Extreme head rotation, relatively small oral cavity, and wide rigid composition at the lower part of the novel laryngeal mask probably resulted in cranial nerve injury.

Rehabilitation nursing of hoarseness and dysphagia after resection of schwannoma in jugular foramen: a case report / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To summarize the combined rehabilitation nursing process of a case of voice and deglutition disorders following surgical removal of intra-and extracranial schwannoma in the jugular foramen area.Methods:A case of hoarseness and dysphagia after surgery for intracranial and extracranial schwannomas in the left jugular foramen region in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University in October 2020 was collected. Early step-wise voice training assisted by respiratory muscles and tongue muscle exercises was carried out, electronic laryngoscope-based breathing and swallowing methods, assessment of food and bite-size, maintenance of food consistency with the assistance of chewing times, and swallowing and ingestion guidance for the update of dietary methods were performed. The continuous rehabilitation training was provided throughout the process.Results:The grade of GRBAS scale decreased from G3 to G2 after training from home for 3 months following discharge; the voice handicap index of Chinese version reduced from 75 points to 52 points, and the average pronunciation time extended from 2.45 s to 5.32 s. The frequency of choking with food optimized from 0.4 to 0.5 times/min to no choking.Conclusions:Early rehabilitation training of voice and, swallowing and ingestion is a boon for the recovery of hoarseness and dysphagia after resection of schwannomas in the jugular foramen region.

Landmarks for the hypoglossal nerve within the anterior cervical triangle / Topografía del nervio hipogloso en el triángulo cervical anterior

SUMMARY: Cranial nerve injury is one of the neurologic complications following carotid endarterectomy. The hypoglossal nerve is one of the most frequently injured nerves during carotid endarterectomy. Guidelines suggest that proper anatomic knowledge is crucial to avoid cranial nerve injury. The aim of the present study is to provide landmarks for the localization of the hypoglossal nerve during carotid endarterectomy. 33 anterior cervical triangles of formalin-fixed adult cadavers were dissected. The "carotid axis" was defined and measured, the level of the carotid bifurcation within the carotid axis was registered. "High carotid bifurcation" was considered for those carotid bifurcation found in the upper 25 mm of the carotid axis. The distance between the hypoglossal nerve and the carotid bifurcation was measured (length 1). The relationship between the hypoglossal nerve and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle was registered. For caudal positions, the distance between hypoglossal nerve and posterior belly of the digastric muscle was determined (length 2). Carotid axis range 88.3 mm-155.4 mm, average 125.8 mm. Level of the carotid bifurcation within the carotid axis range 75.3 mm-126.5 mm, mean 102.5 mm. High carotid bifurcation was found in 19 cases (57 %). Length 1 ranged from 1.6 mm to 38.1, mean 17.5. Finally, in 29 specimens (87.8 %) the hypoglossal nerve was caudal to posterior belly of the digastric muscle, whereas in 4 cases (12.2 %) it was posterior. Length 2 ranged from 1 mm to 17.0 mm, mean 6.9 mm. Distances between the hypoglossal nerve and nearby structures were determined. These findings may aid the surgeon in identifying the hypoglossal nerve during carotid endarterectomy and thus prevent its injury.

RESUMEN: La lesión de pares craneales es una de las complicaciones neurológicas posteriores a la endarterectomía carotídea. El nervio hipogloso es uno de los nervios lesionados más frecuentemente durante la endarterectomía carotídea. Las guías de actuación clínica sugieren que el conocimiento anatómico adecuado es crucial para evitar lesiones de los nervios craneales. El objetivo del presente estudio fue proporcionar puntos de referencia para la ubicación del nervio hipogloso durante la endarterectomía carotídea. Se disecaron 33 triángulos cervicales anteriores de cadáveres adultos fijados en solución a base de formaldehído. Se definió y midió el "eje carotídeo", se registró el nivel de la bifurcación carotídea dentro del eje carotídeo. Se consideró una "bifurcación carotídea alta" para aquellas bifurcaciones carotídeas encontradas en los 25 mm superiores del eje carotídeo. Se midió la distancia entre el nervio hipogloso y la bifurcación carotídea (longitud 1). Se registró la relación entre el nervio hipogloso y el vientre posterior del músculo digástrico. Para las posiciones caudales, se determinó la distancia entre el nervio hipogloso y el vientre posterior del músculo digástrico (longitud 2). Rango del eje carotídeo 88,3 mm-155,4 mm, media 125,8 mm. Rango del nivel de la bifurcación carotídea dentro del eje carotídeo 75,3 mm-126,5 mm, media 102,5 mm. Se encontró una bifurcación carotídea alta en 19 casos (57 %). La longitud 1 osciló entre 1,6 mm y 38,1, con una media de 17,5. Finalmente, en 29 muestras (87,8 %) el nervio hipogloso fue caudal al vientre posterior del músculo digástrico, mientras que en 4 casos (12,2 %) fue posterior. La longitud 2 osciló entre 1 mm y 17,0 mm, con una media de 6,9 mm. Se determinaron las distancias entre el nervio hipogloso y las estructuras cercanas. Estos hallazgos pueden ayudar al cirujano a identificar el nervio hipogloso durante la endarterectomía carotídea y así prevenir su lesión.

Outcomes after Transverse-Incision 'Mini' Carotid Endarterectomy and Patch-Plasty

PURPOSE: Traditional longitudinal incision for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be painful, aesthetically displeasing, and associated with a high incidence of cranial nerve injury (CNI). This study describes the outcomes of CEA performed through small (<5 cm long), transversely oriented incisions located directly over the carotid bifurcation, as identified by color-enhanced duplex ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient demographics and operative data were collected retrospectively from an in-house database of consecutive vascular patients undergoing CEA with a small transversely oriented incision for both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenoses. RESULTS: A total of 52 consecutive patients underwent CEA between 2012 and 2016 (median age, 73.5 years; interquartile range, 67-80.3; male/female ratio, 40:12). CEA was performed under regional/local anesthesia (LA) in 48 (92.3%) patients, with 4 (7.7%) being performed under general anesthesia. One patient under LA experienced intraoperative neurological dysfunction intraoperatively (manifesting as an inability to count out loud) that resolved with insertion of shunt. One patient experienced a transient neurological event (expressive dysphasia) within the immediate postoperative period, which resolved within 6 hours. No in-hospital death or perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events were noted. Follow-up data were available for a median period of 3.1 years and for all patients. Three patients experienced strokes following discharge (2 strokes contralateral to the operated side and 1 transient ischemic attack ipsilateral to the operated side). No persistent CNIs nor bleeding complications necessitating re-exploration were reported. CONCLUSION: Small, transversely orientated incisions, hidden within a neck skin crease can be safely performed in the majority of patients undergoing CEA.

Hypocalcemia is an "accelerator" for the death of patients with nervous system injury / 中华危重病急救医学

In clinical diagnosis and treatment, the occurrence of hypocalcemia during severe nervous system damage is not uncommon but is easily neglected so that delayed treatment, further injurie and even death. It can provide theoretical support for the evaluation of the early identification in calcium ion imbalance and the development of standard calcium ion monitoring program for patients with critical disease by integrating the clinical symptoms induced by low blood calcium based on severe nervous system injury and analyzing the correlation among them.

Retrospective analysis of operative methods and complications in 29 patients with carotid body tumor / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To analyze the operative methods and complications for surgical resection of carotid body tumor (CBT). Method:Clinical data of 29 patients underwent CBT resection from Jan 2007 to Apr 2015 were retrospectively studied. Result:Five out of 29 patients got bilateral CBT, the others had unilateral lesions, totally 34 CBT resection were performed. Tumor completely dissected without carotid artery clamping and reconstruction in 18 procedures, tumor resection combined with external carotid artery resection in 16 procedures, 9 out of these 16 procedures combined with internal carotid artery resection. The internal carotid artery was reconstructed with autologous greater saphenous vein in 4 procedures, with artificial graft in 3 procedures, and internal carotid artery ligation without reconstruction in 2 procedures. There was no patient death during perioperative period, cerebral infarction happened in 1 patient and cranial nerve injury occurred in 12 cases. Conclusion:Carotid artery resection and reconstruction is very common during CBT resection, surgeon must be familiar with the methods of carotid artery reconstruction, and the most common complication of carotid body tumor resection is the cranial nerve injury.

Analysis of cranial nerve injury after carotid endarterectomy / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objectives To analyze the incidence of cranial nerve injury in patients after receiving carotid endarterectomy ( CEA) in a single-center and to investigate its correlation with surgical experiences. Methods The clinical data of patients underwent CEA at Beijing Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January. 2001 to December 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Cranial nerve injury was assessed at day 7 after procedure according to the clinical symptoms,and they were followed up at 1,3,6, and 12 months. The incidence of permanent cranial nerve injury was evaluated. The incidences of permanent cranial nerve injury were further analyzed at two time periods ( from January 2001 to September 2011 and from October 2011 to December 2013 ) . Results ( 1 ) A total of 598 consecutive patients treated with CEA were enrolled,and 15 (2. 5%) of them had cranial nerve injury,including 2 (0. 3%) facial nerve injury,7 (1. 2%) hypoglossal nerve injury,and 6 (1. 0%) vagus nerve injury. Only 1 case (0. 2%) did not recover completely at 6 months after procedure. ( 2 ) The patients with cranial nerve injury were 10 (3. 2%,10/308) and 5 (1. 7%,5/290) respectively from January 2001 to September 2011 and from October 2011 to December 2013). There was no significant difference (P < 0. 05). Conclusion The incidence of cranial nerve injury was low after CEA,and most patients could recover completely. The increased surgical experiences did not show the reduction of cranial nerve injury rate evidently after CEA.

Collet-Sicard Syndrome in a Patient with Jefferson Fracture

Collet-Sicard syndrome is a rare condition characterized by the unilateral paralysis of the 9th through 12th cranial nerves. We describe a case of a 46-year-old man who presented with dysphagia after a falling down injury. Computed tomography demonstrated burst fracture of the atlas. Physical examination revealed decreased gag reflex on the left side, decreased laryngeal elevation, tongue deviation to the left side, and atrophy of the left trapezius muscle. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) revealed frequent aspirations of a massive amount of thick liquid and incomplete opening of the upper esophageal sphincter during the pharyngeal phase. We report a rare case of Collet-Sicard syndrome caused by Jefferson fracture.

Clinical Analysis of Basal Skull Fractures

The authors analysed 147 cases of basal skull fracture which were treated in the Department of Neurosurgery, Chungnam National University Hospital from January 1989 to December 1992. These fractures are difficult to diagnose by ordinary X-ray examination and are frequently inferred by clinical signs. The clinical features and radiological findings were reviewed. The results of the analysis are summarized as follows : 1) The basal skull fractures were more common in men than women-the ratio being 6 : 1. 2) In decreasing order of cause of basal skull fractures were traffic accidents(77%), fall down, assault and slipping. 3) The minor head injury, Glasgow Coma Scale Score(GCS) of 13 to 15, was 79 cases(54%), the moderate head injury 40 cases(27%) and the severe head injury 18 cases(19%). 4) In decreasing order of clinical features were otorrhea(71%) rhinorrhea(48%) and raccoon eye(33%) etc. 5) In decreasing order of the combined pathologies were skull fracture(55%), subdural hematoma(17%), epidural hematoma(16%) and intracerebral hematoma(12%) etc. 6) The facial nerve, vestibulo-cochlear nerve and optic nerve were the most commonly injured cranial nerve. 7) CSF leakage was noted in 139 cases and among them immediate type was far more common(96%) than the delayed type. 8) The incidence of meningitis was 5.4% and most of them associated with CSF leakage and the prophylatic antibiotic treatment has no effect to decrease infection rate. 9) In decreasing order of the frequency associated injuries were facial bone fracture(47%), clavicle fracture(19%), lower extremities fracture(9%) and upper extremities fracture(7%) etc.

Clinical Analysis of Cranial Nerve Injuries in Craniocerebral Trauma

The clinical analysis of cranial nerve injuries was performed on 435 cases with cranoicrerbral trauma. This prospective study included the correlation between cranial nerve injuries and risk factors such as intracranial hematoma, initial Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) score, pneumocephalus, and other combined injuries. The results were revealed as follows : 1) 133 cranial nerve injuries(on 97 patients) were noted among 435 craniocerebral trauma victims(97/435=22.2%). 2) The order of frequent cranial nerve injuries was facial nerve(7.3%), olfactory nerve(6.9%), oculomotor nerve(4.4%), abducens nerve(3.9%), optic nerve(3.2%), etc. 3) Bilateral involvment of cranial nerve injuries was noted in 16.5%(22/133). 4) The incidence of immediate onset of cranial nerve injuries was 66.9%(89/133). 5) The incidence of cranial nerve injuries was significantly high in patients with pneumocephalus and low initial GCS score. 6) The functional recovery of injured cranial nerve within 3 months was noted in 30.1%(40/133).