Lingual nerve paralysis after endobronchial ultrasound utilizing laryngeal mask airway

J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2012 Jan;19(1):72-4. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0b013e318241414a.

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman developed loss of sensation and taste in the anterior two thirds of her tongue after undergoing endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration using a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). This was believed to be due to bilateral lingual nerve injury, likely caused by stretching of tissue of the upper airway because of repetitive movements of LMA during attempts to obtain a clearer ultrasound image to direct needle insertion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of lingual nerve injury after an endobronchial ultrasound procedure using LMA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia, General / methods
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Bronchoscopy / adverse effects*
  • Bronchoscopy / methods
  • Endosonography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypesthesia / etiology
  • Laryngeal Masks / adverse effects*
  • Lingual Nerve Injuries / etiology*
  • Lingual Nerve Injuries / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Taste Disorders / etiology