Delayed Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy After Halo-Vest Immobilization in a Patient With C1-C2 Tuberculosis: A Case Report

Case A 48-year-old man presented with neck pain and torticollis without any neurodeficit. He was diagnosed with C1-C2 tuberculosis with left C1-C2 joint destruction and was immobilized with a halo vest and started on antitubercular treatment (ATT). At the 3-month follow-up, he presented with left hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP). He responded to ATT with complete healing of C1-C2 lesion and good correction of deformity but persistent left-sided tongue deviation at the 2-year follow-up. Conclusion HNP may occur as a complication of conservative management of craniovertebral junction tuberculosis (CVJ TB). Careful neurological assessment and monitoring must be performed while correcting deformities in CVJ TB using halo-vest immobilization.