C1 Lateral Mass Screw Migration Causing a Delayed Unilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Lesion: A Case Report. Issue 1 (9th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hollern, Douglas; Shafi, Karim; Miller, Andrew; Woods, Barrett; Heller, Joshua; Vaccaro, Alexander
• Is Part Of: JBJS case connector. Volume 6:Issue 1(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-03-09
• Subjects: Orthopedic surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics; Orthopedic Procedures; Orthopedic surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Case studies; Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.O.00168
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-3251

Abstract

Abstract : Case: We present the case of a fifty-eight-year-old woman who was initially treated with a C1 to C7 anterior-posterior cervical decompression and fusion for an epidural abscess and returned two years postoperatively with four days of progressive dysphagia and tongue deviation. She was diagnosed with a unilateral hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) palsy secondary to compression from a C1 lateral mass screw. Conclusion: This is the first reported case that we are aware of describing a delayed cranial nerve palsy secondary to cutout and cephalad migration of a C1 lateral mass screw resulting in a neurologic deficit due to impingement on the hypoglossal nerve.