This pilot study analyzed correlations between tongue electrical impedance myography (EIM), standard tongue electromyography (EMG), and tongue functional measures in N = 4 long-term oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) survivors.
Patients were screened for a supportive care trial (NCT04151082). Hypoglossal nerve function was evaluated with genioglossus needle EMG, functional measures with the Iowa oral performance instrument (IOPI), and multi-frequency tissue composition with tongue EIM.
Tongue EIM conductivity was higher for patients with EMG-confirmed cranial nerve XII neuropathy than those without (p = 0.005) and in patients with mild versus normal EMG reinnervation ratings (16 kHz EIM: p = 0.051). Tongue EIM correlated with IOPI strength measurements (e.g., anterior maximum isometric lingual strength: r2  = 0.62, p = 0.020).
Tongue EIM measures related to tongue strength and the presence of XII neuropathy. Noninvasive tongue EIM may be a convenient adjunctive biomarker to assess tongue health in OPC survivors.

Few studies have documented the morphology of the intracanalicular segment of the hypoglossal nerve (CSHN). Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the CSHN using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In total, 95 patients underwent thin-sliced, contrast MRI. The axial and coronal images were used for analysis. The CSHNs were bilaterally identified in 97% and 94% of the 95 patients on the axial and serial coronal images, respectively. On axial images, length of the hypoglossal canal was measured as 8.2 ± 1.66 mm on the right and 8.4 ± 1.71 mm on the left. The CSHN was delineated as a slightly tortuous, linear structure with variable length. The CSHN course in the hypoglossal canal could be classified into the ventral, central, and ventrodorsal types, with the ventral type most predominant and found in 65% on the right side and 43% on the left. The angle formed by the CSHN and perpendicular line was highly variable. On serial coronal images, the CSHN course in the hypoglossal canal was also variable and could be found in the any part of the canal. The CSHN is a distinct structure characterized by morphological variability, which can influence the type of hypoglossal neuropathy arising from the CSHN.

暂无摘要。

This study reviewed 24 cases of parapharyngeal space tumour treated at Kurume University Hospital between 1990 and 2007. Histological diagnoses were generally obtained from the excised tumour (22/24). Seventy-seven per cent of the parapharyngeal space tumours were benign and 23 per cent were malignant. Thirty-eight per cent (eight of 22) of these tumours were pleomorphic adenomas and 23 per cent (five of 22) were schwannomas. A transparotidectomy and transcervical approach were used in 88 per cent (15/17) of benign tumours. A mandibular swing approach was used for one malignant tumour. Post-operative complications were identified in 16 of 22 patients. The most common complication, facial nerve paralysis, was identified in eight patients, and seven of these patients demonstrated first bite syndrome. In consideration of the high incidence of post-operative complications, the surgical approach should therefore be carefully selected when treating patients with parapharyngeal space tumours.

Mobius sequence/syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by congenital palsy of the 6th and 7th cranial nerves. Other cranial nerves may be affected, skeletal and orofacial anomalies and mental retardation occur. The aims were to determine the frequency of associated clinical characteristics and to identify any pregnancy or environmental factors in patients with Mobius sequence. A prospective study of 25 Swedes with apparent involvement of the 6th and 7th cranial nerves was performed and 25 patients, 1 month to 55 years old, were examined. Obvious associated systemic anomalies observed included: limb malformations (10), Poland anomaly (2), hypodontia (7), microglossia (6), cleft palate (4), hearing impairment (5) and external ear malformation (1). Pronounced functional abnormalities were observed involving facial expression (16), speech (13), eating and swallowing (12) and difficulty in sucking in infancy (11). Six patients had an autistic syndrome, one an autistic-like condition, and mental retardation was found in all these patients. No common aetiological cause was found but their mothers\' pregnancy histories revealed a history of benzodiazepines (1), bleeding during pregnancy (8), spontaneous abortion (7) and chorion villus sampling in the second month of pregnancy (1). In conclusion, many patients had multiple problems with eating and communication resulting from facial palsy, cleft palate and tongue anomalies. Autism and mental retardation was diagnosed in one-third of the patients. Awareness of the wide spectrum of manifestations in Mobius sequence will assist in identification of the associated malformations and functional problems that are often seen and result in better care of the children.

It is generally believed that the supranuclear innervation of the hypoglossal nucleus is bilateral and symmetrical. The aim of this work is to study the frequency and clinical characteristics of supranuclear tongue palsy in unilateral stroke. 300 patients with acute unilateral ischaemic motor strokes (excluding those in the lower brainstem) and an equal number of normal controls were studied for the presence of tongue deviation in a standardised manner. 29% of stroke patients and 5% of controls had tongue deviation (p < 0. 00001). Deviation was always to the side of the limb weakness. In patients with a history of stroke, it occurred more frequently in those with previous stroke on the contralateral side. Tongue deviation was most common in patients with clinical features of the non-lacunar stroke subtype (56%) or in those with cortical or large subcortical infarctions on brain CT scan (55 and 45%, respectively). All tongue deviations were associated with supranuclear 7th nerve palsy. Dysphagia and dysarthria occurred in 43 and 90% of patients with tongue deviation. Weakness of the arm was significantly associated with presence of tongue deviation. Tongue deviation in unilateral stroke most likely results from asymmetrical supranuclear control of the 12th cranial nerve in many individuals. The finding that it occurs relatively commonly in large (non-lacunar) infarcts and its association with dysphagia may have clinical utility.