NEUROIMAGING ABNORMALITIES WITH HYPOGLOSSAL NERVE PALSIES

Seven patients with acute or chronic unilateral hypoglossal nerve lesi ons were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomograp hy. In the patients with acute to subacute paralysis of the tongue, th e base of the ipsilateral side of the tongue appeared expanded with in creased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. This appearance sugges ted an infiltrative mass lesion within the tongue. These radiographic findings are due to the pathophysioiogical process of nerve injury and muscle denervation.