A case with unilateral hypoglossal nerve injury in branchial cyst surgery

Injury of the hypoglossal nerve is a recognized complication following soft tissue surgery in the upper and anterior part of the neck [1,2], and [3]. Among 100 cases of hypoglossal nerve palsy (33 bilateral) reported by Keane [4], five cases were the result of a surgical procedure: for clival tumors in 2 cases, and carotid endarterectomy and a tonsillectomy in 1 case each, one case was not specified.In this series in most patients, 12th-nerve involvement was asymptomatic or a minor component of dysarthria. On the contrary acute 12th-nerve transection causes early and late serious oral problems in children [5].Branchial cleft (branchiogenic) cysts are congenital epithelial cysts, which arise on the lateral part of the neck from failure of obliteration of the second branchial cleft [6]. Their location makes them prone for 12th-nerve lesions, but literature mentions are scarce.An 11 years' old boy was operated because of a branchial cyst. The cyst was not infected but the surgeon faced the problem of tissue retraction during operation. One week after operation deviation of the tongue was noted and examination revealed marked atrophy of the ipsilateral side of the tongue. Electromyography revealed partial 12th-nerve injury. Explorative surgery of the hypoglossal nerve was regarded not to be indicated. Improvement was not noted six months after operation.Hypoglossal nerve palsy may be caused by tumors and cysts in the neck, but can also be caused by surgery. It is important to note securely the preoperative situation.Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.SKM is the chief author who deals the patient clinically, BCG draws SKM attention for this case, AS & RK perform EMG, MAF help SKM in every aspect and JB take care of this patient preoperatively.