PubMed · 2002 · 10 citations · 0 references
MedicineNeurologyNeuroscienceCranial Nerve DisordersNeuromuscular DisordersNeuropathologyCranial Nerve PalsiesCranial NervesHypoglossal Nerve DisordersMotor Neuron DiseasesMotor Neuron DisordersMotor NeuropathyBilateral Cranial Nerve PalsiesBilateral Hypoglossal Nerve PalsyConduction Block AssessmentConduction Block DetectionHypoglossal Nerve AtrophyMotor Nerve DysfunctionNeurological EtiologySensory-motor Neuropathy
Multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block (MMN-CB) very rarely presents with cranial nerve symptoms. We describe a 72-year old man who was referred for a neurological evaluation because of a one-year long history of right-sided hypoglossal palsy with fasciculations. Since the examination also revealed slight atrophy in the hands, a motor neuron disease (MND) was suspected. The neurophysiological examination revealed bilateral ulnar conduction blocks indicative of MMN-CB. The patient was treated with lvlg and improved considerably. A short review of MMN-CB and of hypoglossal palsies is presented. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first case described in which MMN-CB presents with hypoglossal palsy.