Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2013 Aug;56(8):535-537. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.8.535.

A Case of Bilateral Peripheral Tapia's Syndrome Subsequent to Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

• Kim SW
• Kim MS
• Choi JH
• Kim CD

• KMID: 1475778
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.8.535

Abstract

The Tapia's syndrome means symptom complex that result from unilateral vago-hypoglossal nerve paralysis. This syndrome is rare disease entity, bilateral attack is extremely rare. Only three cases have been reported in English literature. A-66-year-old man received the coronary artery bypass graft in our hospital. After the operation, he complained of severe dyspnea, voice change and drooling. The laryngoscopic findings showed the bilateral vocal cord palsy. He could not move the tongue toward any directions. We diagnosed as bilateral Tapia's syndrome. Usually, unilateral Tapia's syndrome is related to the complications of anesthesia and position of the patient's head during surgery. Otherwise, our case may be associated with the complications of operation and anesthesia. The patient's recovered three months later, but the right vocal cord palsy is persistent. We report the very unique disease entity with literature review.

Keyword

Bilateral; CABG; Orotracheal intubation; Tapia's syndrome

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Coronary Artery Bypass
Coronary Vessels
Dyspnea
Head
Paralysis
Rare Diseases
Sialorrhea
Tongue
Transplants
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Voice