Neck tongue syndrome is rare and comprises altered sensation in one side of the tongue aggravated by neck movement with ipsilateral neck pain 1.
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Epidemiology
Neck tongue syndrome is seen in a wide range of ages but is more commonly reported in older children and young adults 1-3.
Clinical presentation
Patients present with episodic, often severe upper cervical and occipital pain with associated symptoms in the ipsilateral tongue, including numbness, pseudoathetosis, dysarthria, and lingual paralysis. Neck movement aggravates symptoms 1-3.
Pathology
Neck tongue syndrome is believed to be due to damage to lingual afferent fibers traveling in the hypoglossal nerve to the C2 spinal roots, possibly due to subluxation of the lateral C1/2 joints 1-3. It is divided into 3:
- complicated NTS: underlying disease process (inflammatory or degenerative) can be identified
- uncomplicated NTS: idiopathic or trauma-related
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