UNILATERAL HYPOGLOSSAL NERVE PARALYSIS AFTER GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Case reports of hypoglossal paralysis following endotracheal intubation have been presented earlier. In the majority of these cases, loss of hypoglossal nerve function was caused by a neuropraxic type of injury. Nerve stretching due to hyperextension, nerve compression during laryngoscopy or, to hyperinflation of the cuff of either endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway have been hypothesised as possible causes. We present a patient with a hematoma nearby the hypoglossal nerve canal that was identified using magnetic resonance imaging. Compression due to perineural hematoma within the hypoglossal canal could represent a possible new etiology of hypoglossal nerve paralysis following intubation.