What is Hypoglossal Nerve Disease

Refers to the diseases of the twelfth cranial (hypoglossal) nerve or nuclei, located in the medulla.
The nerve exits the skull through the hypoglossal foramen stimulating the muscles of the tongue

Causes of Hypoglossal Nerve Disease

*Due to locally advanced nasopharyngeal tumor whereas a palsy arising after radiation therapy was more frequently  caused by postradiation damage rather than cancer.
*Lower brain stem diseases such as Ischemia and Motor Neuron Diseases.
*Diseases of the posterior fossa or skull base.

Signs and Symptoms  of Hypoglossal Nerve Disease

*Unilateral weakness of tongue musculature
*Lingual dysarthria; deviation of tongue upon attempted protrusion

Diagnosis  of Hypoglossal Nerve Disease

*Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
*CT Scan