Tapia's syndrome in a patient with COVID-19

Pract Neurol. 2023 Apr;23(2):146-149. doi: 10.1136/pn-2022-003487. Epub 2022 Oct 5.

Abstract

A 42-year-old man developed bilateral Tapia's syndrome (recurrent laryngeal and hypoglossal nerves paralysis) following prolonged ventilation for COVID-19 pneumonia. Examination showed global tongue atrophy and bilateral asymmetric vocal cord palsy. He improved rapidly without specific treatment, suggesting that neuropraxia was the likely mechanism of injury. Tapia's syndrome has been reported disproportionately more often in association with COVID-19, possibly from injury to hypoglossal and vagal nerves during ventilation in the prone position.

Keywords: COVID-19; Neuroanatomy; Neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Diseases* / complications
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Humans
  • Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* / complications
  • Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* / therapy
  • Male
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis* / etiology