Wasted tongue in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders due to hypoglossal nerve involvement. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Viswanathan, Shanthi
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 21:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 488
• Page End: 491
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder -- hypoglossal nerve -- wasted tongue; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458514537698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

We report two cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with hypoglossal nerve involvement resulting in a wasted tongue associated with other brainstem symptoms of hypogeusia, hypersalivation, hiccough, increased sweating, hyperemesis and myelitis (in the second patient). This occurred due to involvement of the hypoglossal, tractus solitarius and dorsal vagal nuclei. Though the myelitis and other brainstem signs recovered the hypoglossal nerve involvement resulting in a unilateral wasted tongue did not. It is important to consider neuromyelitis optica and its spectrum disorders in the differential diagnosis of a wasted tongue though its occurrence is rare.