Hypoglossal Nerve Conduction in a Patient with Idiopathic Unilateral Weakness of the Tongue

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 14(3); 1996 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1996;14(3): 657-661.

원인불명의 편측 설마비를 가진 환자의 설하신경전도검사

박성파, 김종열, 서정규

경북대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Hypoglossal Nerve Conduction in a Patient with Idiopathic Unilateral Weakness of the Tongue

Sung Pa Park, M.D., Jong Yeol Kim, M.D., Chung Kyu Suh, M.D.

Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Kyungpook National University

Abstract

Measuring motor nerve conduction (MNC) in the hypoglossal nerve is an uncommon electrophysiologic study. However, this measurement can be easily performed with a wooden tongue depressor, to which a bipolar bar electrode is fixed by skin tape. We measured the MNC of the hypoglossal nerve in a patient with idiopathic unilateral weakness of the tongue. In the initial MNCs of the hypoglossal nerves, the CMAP amplitude was decreased and the latency was delayed in the lesion site when compared to the healthy site. In the follow-up study after 3 months, similar findings were found. Comparing the initial study with the follow-up one, however, the CMAP amplitude was increased and the latency was shortened in the lesion site. In conclusion, the MNC in the hypoglossal nerve is easy to measure and is useful for the evaluation of the hypoglossal nerve damage.