Neck-tongue Syndrome
SOURCE: BMJ Case Rep. 2018 (Dec 4); 11 (1). pii: e227483
Eric Chun Pu Chu and Andy Fu Chieh Lin
Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Department,
New York Medical Group,
Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Neck-tongue syndrome (NTS) is a rarely reported disorder characterised by paroxysmal episodes of intense pain in the upper cervical or occipital areas associated with ipsilateral hemiglossal dysaesthesia brought about by sudden neck movement. The most likely cause of this clinical entity is a temporary subluxation of the lateral atlantoaxial joint with impaction of the C2 ventral ramus against the articular processes on head rotation. NTS is an under-recognised condition that can be debilitating for patients and challenging for the treating physicians. Here, we report a 47-year-old man who fulfilled the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition criteria for a diagnosis of NTS was treated successfully with a chiropractic approach. There are currently no consensus guidelines for dealing with this disorder. Reassuringly, chiropractic care for uncomplicated NTS appears highly effective.
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KEYWORDS: dentistry and oral medicine; ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; headache (including migraines)
From the Full-Text Article:
Background
Neck–tongue syndrome (NTS) is a rarely reported disorder. Plausible speculations on its pathophysiology have recently been described in case reviews. [1-3] It is characterised by brief attacks of occipital pain and ipsilateral hemiglossal dysaesthesia elicited by abrupt neck rotation. [4] Although NTS can occur without obvious abnormalities, associated pathological changes include degenerative spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and loose ligaments of joint capsules. [5]
According to the ICHD-3 (International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition) criteria, [6] to be diagnosed as having NTS, a person must display:
(A) at least two episodes fulfilling criteria B–D;
(B) sharp or stabbing unilateral pain in the upper neck and/or occipital region with concurrent abnormal sensation and/or posture of the ipsilateral tongue (may or may not be simultaneous dysaesthesia);
(C) episodes triggered by sudden neck turning;
(D) symptoms lasting from seconds to several minutes;
(E) clinical features not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis.
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