Unusual Presentation of Tongue Carcinoma.

Mohd Saiful ADLI and Azliana AZIZ.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan & Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Abstract

Painless tongue carcinoma is an uncommon presentation of oral cavity malignancy. Awareness of the atypical symptoms of tongue carcinoma is important, as it can cause a delayed referral to an otorhinolaryngologist and subsequently delay in diagnosis. Malignancy should be considered as the provisional diagnosis, especially in an isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve involvement. In this case, the patient presented with isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy mimicking a cerebrovascular accident, the cause of which was tongue carcinoma.

Keywords: Cerebrovascular accident, Hypoglossal nerve palsy, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Tongue carcinoma.

Corresponding author: Azliana Aziz, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan & Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Email: az_aziz@usm.my

Brunei Int Med J.2024;20:105-108