Bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy after sclerotherapy for lymphatic malformation.

INTRODUCTION

Sclerotherapy is one of the treatment modalities for macrocystic lymphatic malformations. Nerve complications related to the toxicity of the sclerosing agent have already been described. We report the first known case of bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy following ethanol sclerotherapy.

CASE SUMMARY: An 11-year-old boy underwent ethanol sclerotherapy for a monocystic lymphatic malformation of the floor of the mouth. He presented with bilateral paralysis of the XII cranial nerves postoperatively, which fortunately resolved within approximately 5 months.

DISCUSSION: The potential side effects associated with the diffusion of the sclerosing agent must be anticipated even beyond the predictable anatomical limits. Paralysis related to local ethanol toxicity is reversible in most cases.