Head and Neck Imaging

Proximal vagal neuropathy

neuropathy caused by injury to the vagal nerve above the level of the hyoid bone. At the suprahyoid level, the vagal nerve is quite close to the glossopharyngeal (IX), spinal accessory (XI) and hypoglossal nerve (XII); injury to the vagal nerve is therefore commonly accompanied by symptoms related to injury to these other cranial nerves. Oropharyngeal (malfunction of pharyngeal plexus) and endolaryngeal symptoms (malfunction of recurrent laryngeal nerve) are present. Imaging should be directed at searching for a lesion on the proximal part of the vagal nerve, from its origin in the brain stem to the level of the hyoid bone. Also, see distal vagal neuropathy, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy.

RH