Lingual Spasms Associated with Internal Carotid Artery Tortuosity

This is a 53-year-old lady presented to the hospital for treatment of hypertensive emergency. Her blood pressure was 220/114 upon arrival. Neurology was consulted for evaluation of episodic tongue spasms with left deviation of the tongue that started an hour before arrival to the hospital. There was no loss or alteration of consciousness, no epileptic activity. There was no chief complaint of weakness, visual or speech abnormalities [1]. A right supraclavicular pulsating mass was noted. There were bilateral carotid bruits. The neurological exam was normal. MRI of the head was negative for acute stroke. Magnetic resonance angiography and computerized CT angiography showed an ectatic right brachiocephalic vessels with tortuosity of the right extracranial internal carotid artery [2] (Figures 1&2).

Hypoglossal nerve vascular supply

The nerve is supplied by arteries that arise from the ascending pharyngeal artery as it exits from the hypoglossal canal, the occipital artery as the nerve passes under its branch to the sternomastoid muscle, direct branches from the external carotid artery, and branches from the ascending pharyngeal artery just near the bifurcation of the common carotid artery [4]. Within and close to the tongue, the nerve is supplied by branches from the lingual artery (Figures 3 to 5).

A possible mechanism explaining the hemi lingual spasm

The hypoglossal nerve leaves the intracranial space by the hypoglossal canal passing into the carotid trigonum through the gap between the internal jugular vein and the ICA. At this level, hypoglossal palsy is most frequently caused by benign and malignant tumors such as schwannoma, chordoma, metastasis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphoma [5]. Tortuosities of the extracranial ICA may be asymptomatic or mostly present clinically with transient ischemic attacks and extremely rarely with lesions of the caudal cranial nerves.

The tortuosity of the extracranial ICA may have caused stretch of the hypoglossal nerve leading to focal excitation and hyperactivity of the hypoglossal nerve. This mechanism may be similar to that of trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgias. The blood pressure was managed per protocol. The lingual spasms did not recur. Stroke prevention education was offered [6]. The patient continues to be neurologically intact. There was no recurrence of abnormal movements [7,8].

Tortuosity of the innominate and carotid artery is uncommon, is more likely to accompany chronic hypertension that causes loss of elasticity of the vascular wall. Genetic factors contributing to this finding are unclear. Search for other vascular anomalies in the patient by performing vascular studies, secondary stroke prevention is crucial in managing this condition. Caution should be exercised in approaching these patients should emergent tracheostomy is required. Tortuous arteries may not need surgical treatment as long as no focal stenosis or aneurysmal dilatations accompany the condition.

None

No conflict of interest.

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