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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Chaiyamoon A, Gilkes A, Rajaram-Gilkes M, Keshavarzi S, Iwanaga J, Dumont AS, Tubbs RS. Angulation Between the Occipital Condyle and the Hypoglossal Canal: An Anatomical Study With Application in Transcondylar Approaches and Occipital Condyle Screw Placement. Cureus 2022; 14:e32326. [PMID: 36628006 PMCID: PMC9825122 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A detailed understanding of the relationship between the occipital condyle (OC) and the deeper-lying hypoglossal canal (HC) is necessary for surgeons who place screws into the OC or drill through or around the HC. Therefore, this anatomical study was performed. Methodology A total of 30 skulls (60 sides) underwent an analysis of the angle formed between the long axis of the OC and the HC, i.e., the OC/HC angle. Additionally, the lengths and widths of the OCs and foramen magnum (FM) of each skull were measured using a micrometer. Statistical analyses were performed between the left and right sides, and a Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between OC/HC angles and the sizes of the OCs and FM of the skulls. Results The OC/HC angle for the left and right sides ranged from 30 to 56 degrees (mean 46 degrees). The width of the OCs ranged from 9 to 18 mm (mean 13 mm). The length of the OCs was 18 to 31 mm (mean 24 mm). The mean length and width of the FM were 36 mm and 30 mm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the OC/HC angle comparing left and right sides or male or female specimens. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were found between septated and non-septated HC. Pearson's correlation coefficient for left and right OC/HC angles and left and right OC lengths was r = 0.4056 and r = 0.2378, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient for left and right OC/HC angles and left and right OC width was r = 0.3035 and r = 0.3530, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient for left and right OC/HC angles and the width of the FM was r = 0.2178 and r = 0.2048, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient for left and right OC/HC angles and the length of the FM was r = 0.3319 and r = 0.2683, respectively. Conclusions The OC/HC angle as measured here was relatively consistent with no statistically significant differences between sides. We did not find a strong correlation between the width or length of the OC or the width or length of the FM and the OC/HC angles. Therefore, based on our study, surgeons can expect that this angle will range between 30 and 56 degrees (mean 46 degrees). Such knowledge might decrease patient morbidity following invasive procedures involving the OC.
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Lee S, Oh JS, Kim DE, Kim Y. Concomitant Injury of Vagus and Hypoglossal Nerves Caused by Fracture of Skull Base: A Case Report and Literature Review. Korean J Neurotrauma 2020; 16:284-291. [PMID: 33163439 PMCID: PMC7607037 DOI: 10.13004/kjnt.2020.16.e41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Injury of lower cranial nerves (CNs) by skull base fracture after head trauma can occur sometimes. However, selectively different CN damage on either side is extremely rare. A 53-year-old man had difficulty of swallowing, phonation, and articulation after falling off his bicycle. In physical examination, a deviated tongue to the right side was shown. Brain computed tomography showed a skull base fracture involving bilateral jugular foramina and right hypoglossal canal. Left vocal cord palsy was confirmed by laryngoscopy. Electromyography confirmed injury of left superior laryngeal nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and right hypoglossal nerve. Video fluoroscopic swallowing study revealed large amounts of remnant in vallecula and pyriform sinus without opening of upper esophageal sphincter due to dysfunction of cricopharyngeus muscle. After constant rehabilitation for dysphagia, he was allowed to eat a general diet with compensatory techniques at discharge and further recovery after 3 months. Injury of lower CNs after fracture of the skull base can cause severe morbidity. However, the prognosis of such injuries can be favorable with early rehabilitation treatment by identifying the injured CN. A careful and accurate examination of lower CN injury in skull base fracture is essential for planning a treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghoon Lee
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Sang Oh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Doh-Eui Kim
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Yuntae Kim
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
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Herath HMMTB, Pahalagamage SP, Senanayake S. Tongue fasciculations with denervation pattern in osmotic demyelination syndrome: a case report of diagnostic dilemma. BMC Res Notes 2018. [PMID: 29540223 PMCID: PMC5853098 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3287-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The pathogenesis of osmotic demyelination syndrome is not completely understood and usually occurs with severe and prolonged hyponatremia, particularly with rapid correction. It can occur even in normonatremic patients, especially who have risk factors like alcoholism, malnutrition and liver disease. Bilateral tongue fasciculations with denervation pattern in electromyogram is a manifestation of damage to the hypoglossal nucleus or hypoglossal nerves. Tongue fasciculations were reported rarely in some cases of osmotic demyelination syndrome, but the exact mechanism is not explained. Case presentation A 32-year-old Sri Lankan male, with a history of daily alcohol consumption and binge drinking, presented with progressive difficulty in walking, dysphagia, dysarthria and drooling of saliva and alteration of consciousness. On examination he was akinetic and rigid resembling Parkinsonism with a positive Babinski sign. Clinical features were diagnostic of osmotic demyelination syndrome and MRI showed abnormal signal intensity within the central pons and basal ganglia. He also had tongue fasciculations. The electromyogram showed denervation pattern in the tongue with normal findings in the limbs. Medulla and bilateral hypoglossal nerves were normal in MRI. Conclusion We were unable to explain the exact mechanism for the denervation of the tongue, which resulted in fasciculations in this chronic alcoholic patient who developed osmotic demyelination syndrome. The hypoglossal nuclei are located in the dorsal medulla and radiologically undetected myelinolysis of the medulla is a possibility. Hypoglossal nerve damage caused by methanol or other toxic substances that can contaminate regular ethyl alcohol is another possibility, as it is known to cause neurological and radiological features similar to osmotic demyelination syndrome with long-term exposure. So these toxic substances might play a role in chronic alcoholic patients with central pontine myelinolysis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3287-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Chacko J, Brar G, Mundlapudi B, Kumar P. Bilateral Lower Cranial Nerve Palsy after Closed Head Injury: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Indian J Crit Care Med 2018; 22:879-882. [PMID: 30662229 PMCID: PMC6311977 DOI: 10.4103/ijccm.ijccm_476_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Paralysis of the lower cranial nerves is uncommon after closed head injuries. Most cases reported are unilateral and associated with base of skull fractures, usually involving the occipital condyles. Bilateral lower cranial nerve palsy is even less common, with only a handful of cases reported in literature. A 17-year-old girl presented to us after she was involved in a side-on collision with a car while driving a scooter. She sustained traumatic brain injury requiring mechanical ventilation. Detailed neurological evaluation revealed bilateral paralysis of the IXth, Xth, and XIIth cranial nerves with no evidence of a fracture of the base of skull or brain stem injury. A traction type of injury to the nerves arising from a whiplash mechanism may have led to paralysis of the lower cranial nerves in our patient. An exhaustive review of literature revealed 11 reports of bilateral lower cranial nerve palsy associated with closed head injuries; there were only four cases without underlying fracture of the occipital condyles. Our patient made a complete recovery over a period of 4 months. A traction type of injury to the lower cranial nerves may occur due to a whiplash mechanism. This type of injury may be associated with a favorable outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Chacko
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Gagan Brar
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Bhargav Mundlapudi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Theodore N, Aarabi B, Dhall SS, Gelb DE, Hurlbert RJ, Rozzelle CJ, Ryken TC, Walters BC, Hadley MN. Occipital Condyle Fractures. Neurosurgery 2013; 72 Suppl 2:106-13. [DOI: 10.1227/neu.0b013e3182775527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Theodore
- Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | - Sanjay S. Dhall
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Daniel E. Gelb
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - R. John Hurlbert
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary Spine Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Timothy C. Ryken
- Iowa Spine & Brain Institute, University of Iowa, Waterloo/Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Beverly C. Walters
- Department of Neurosciences, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia
- Division of Neurological Surgery, Children's Hospital of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Mark N. Hadley
- Division of Neurological Surgery, Children's Hospital of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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A Case of Bilateral Lower Cranial Nerve Palsies After Base of Skull Trauma With Complex Management Issues. Neurologist 2012; 18:152-4. [DOI: 10.1097/nrl.0b013e318247bb6f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kuitwaard K, Vandertop WP. A patient with an odontoid fracture and atrophy of the tongue: a case report and systematic review of the literature. SURGICAL NEUROLOGY 2005; 64:525-32, discussion 532-3. [PMID: 16293473 DOI: 10.1016/j.surneu.2005.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2004] [Accepted: 03/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic hypoglossal nerve palsy is a rare entity and has rarely been described in association with an odontoid fracture. CASE DESCRIPTION We present a patient with a posttraumatic odontoid fracture who developed selective weakness of his arms and a unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy. A systematic review of the literature is presented, and hypothetical causes for the injury are discussed. CONCLUSION Bell's cruciate paralysis and central cord syndrome are probably expressions of the same mechanism rather than 2 separate entities based on a preferential damage of pyramidal crossing arm fibers. C2 fractures with concomitant lower cranial nerve injury are relatively rare and have a reasonably good outcome, especially when unilateral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Kuitwaard
- Department of Neurosurgery, VU University Medical Center, Postbox 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Caroli E, Rocchi G, Orlando ER, Delfini R. Occipital condyle fractures: report of five cases and literature review. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2005; 14:487-92. [PMID: 15754215 PMCID: PMC3454667 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-004-0832-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2004] [Accepted: 09/26/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) are uncommon and potentially fatal lesions. After the advent of CT, prompt diagnosis can be readily made and consequently better prognosis of these patients is expected. Early recognition of some types of OCF is imperative to avoid fatal results. We analyzed 121 cases of OCF (116 from the literature and five of our own). Rarely patients with a deficit of the lower cranial nerves make a complete recovery. However, quoad vitam prognosis of patients with "pure OCFs" remains good. Immobilization provides good recovery of most OCFs, but delay of treatment can lead to serious morbidity. We want to emphasize that not only an OCF with instability of O-C1-C2 can be a fatal injury unless prompt surgical intervention, but a displacement and migration of the fractured condylar fragment can also result in a fatal outcome. A high level of suspicion is fundamental for the early diagnosis of these fractures, so that when a posterior basal cranial or occipital squama fracture occurs, a CT study of the occipital condyles becomes imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Caroli
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Neurosurgery, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Via Meropia, 85-00147 Rome, Italy.
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Payer M, Delavelle J. Bilateral occipital condylar fracture. Case report about successful treatment with SOMI brace. J Clin Neurosci 2004; 11:211-4. [PMID: 14732389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2003.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Treatment guidelines for occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) are not established. Options for unilateral OCF have been discussed in the literature, but not for bilateral cases. We describe a bilateral OCF type II (according to the Anderson/Montesano classification) in a 30-year-old patient, where immobilisation in a SOMI brace (sternal occipital mandibular immobilisation) was successfully used.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Payer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Bibliography. Neurosurgery 2002. [DOI: 10.1097/00006123-200203001-00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Abstract
DIAGNOSTIC STANDARDS There is insufficient evidence to support diagnostic standards. GUIDELINES Computed tomographic imaging is recommended for establishing the diagnosis of occipital condyle fractures. Clinical suspicion should be raised by the presence of one or more of the following criteria: blunt trauma patients sustaining high-energy craniocervical injuries, altered consciousness, occipital pain or tenderness, impaired cervical motion, lower cranial nerve paresis, or retropharyngeal soft tissue swelling. OPTIONS Magnetic resonance imaging is recommended to assess the integrity of the craniocervical ligaments. TREATMENT STANDARDS There is insufficient evidence to support treatment standards. GUIDELINES There is insufficient evidence to support treatment guidelines. OPTIONS Treatment with external cervical immobilization is recommended.
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Legros B, Fournier P, Chiaroni P, Ritz O, Fusciardi J. Basal fracture of the skull and lower (IX, X, XI, XII) cranial nerves palsy: four case reports including two fractures of the occipital condyle--a literature review. THE JOURNAL OF TRAUMA 2000; 48:342-8. [PMID: 10697104 DOI: 10.1097/00005373-200002000-00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B Legros
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care II, Tours University Hospital, France.
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