Tapia Syndrome after Cervical Laminoplasty: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

We present a case report of very rare and unfamiliar disease named Tapia syndrome characterized by concomitant unilateral paralysis of the 10th and 12th cranial nerves. Symptoms include dysphonia, dysphagia, tongue deviation toward affected side. The syndrome occurs after orotracheal intubation. A case report of the patient; A 48-year-old Asian man, presented with both arm numbness and gait disturbance for 1 year. We planned laminoplasty of cervical 4, 5, 6, and 7. After the operation, he complained of hoarseness and difficulty in swelling. On his physical examinations, uvula and tongue deviation to right is detected. At 8 months after the surgery, his clinical symptoms and chief compliant about surgery had disappeared. The mechanism of the disease is unclear. Though the progress of the disease is benign, further evaluation to rule out other desperate disease like cerebral infarction is evitable.