Tapia syndrome is characterized by concurrent paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal and hypoglossal nerves. The mechanism is associated with airway manipulation in 70% of patients and is attributed to compression or stretching of these nerves. Diagnosis is based on recognition of the concurrent paralyses and investigations to exclude central or vascular causes. Treatment is supportive, with emphasis on empiric corticosteroids and dysphagia therapy. Recovery is excellent in 30% of patients, incomplete in 39% of patients, and none in over 26% of patients. A case of a 48-year-old woman is described, who was diagnosed with Tapia syndrome 3 years after the suspected injury.
Keywords: Tapia syndrome; Tapia's syndrome; hypoglossal nerve; paralysis; paresis; recurrent laryngeal nerve; speech therapy; tongue; vocal cord paralysis; vocal cords.
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