Neck-Tongue Syndrome?

[gnatrea]

From time to time when I turn my head I get a sharp pain in my neck/head.  The pain is usually behind my right ear right where my head meets my neck.  Seconds later my tongue goes numb.  From doing a little research online I discovered this is probably Neck-Tongue Syndrome.  However, no one ever says if this a serious problem that should be looked at or not.  It only happens a handful of times a year and after I stand still with my head down for a minute I am fine.  Could someone please supply me with some more information.

Thanks!

[sooners85]

I as well have been experiencing these "attacks" since I was 10, I can still remember the first episode.  I always have been intrigued by the ipsilateral neck/tongue pain.  I have seen a neurologist and had a MRI performed and nothing was discovered.  I had already research neck-tongue syndrome and mentioned to the neurologist and she was worthless. She never even called me after my MRI came out normal.  My attacks are not as frequent anymore and I feel helpless because this is so unknown.  Does anyone have a physician in the US that is well informed on this syndrome? I have read that it could be caused by delivery and how the OB doctor pulled the baby out of the canal could have caused this cerivcal complication?  Does anyone know any long term effects?

[manpt]

Hello both of you. Take my comments for what they're worth, but it sounds like gnatrea is talking about neck-tongue syndrome, which is ACUTE, brought about by rapid neck movements, and involves a distribution of symptoms only within the face/head, most often reported as numbness in the tongue. This is usually caused by an acute subluxation (partial dislocation) of the top two vertebrae of the neck, which causes abnormal input to cranial nerves and can cause symptoms in the cranium (head).
HOWEVER, morticiandame is describing (at least in the reports of her earlier symptoms) signs and symptoms of vertebral artery insufficiency, particularly if it is causing dizziness, loss of balance, or drop attacks (fainting). This is an important difference! SUSTAINED full rotation of the head can kink/obstruct the artery that goes to your brainstem, as can extending your head backward, and both should never be performed together. Rapid, full range rotation can also cause these. They likely were more severe as a child, because several key stabilizing components of your cervical spine were not yet developed (until about 18 years old).
It is important that both of you see a neurologist to rule out upper cervical spine instability that could threaten the arteries in your neck that feed your brain. Be sure to mention the full complex of your symptoms, especially what causes them (head movement)! A few key words to also throw in: vertebral artery, drop attacks, Neck Tongue syndrome. Beware, Neck tongue syndrome is not a well-known entity for most physicians, but if you use the term, they will probably look it up. The pertinent author is a neurologist from Australia, Nicolai Bogduk. Good luck.

[morticiandame]

I am a 21 year old Neck-Tongue Syndrome patient. I have had these "type" of episodes for as long as i can remember. I have been to a neurologist every year since i was 13 which is when i finally vocalized what was going on to my family. I always thought that this was normal since i had always experienced it. It took me a while to be examined by a doctor who knew what could be the reason for this to happen. I too find that dropping my head for a short while relaxes my neck enought to stop the throbbing pain.

I have found by going to the doctor that there are things which may trigger it including for me stress and not excersising. I have tried Physical theropy, accupuncture, massages, pills, daily range of motian techniques. I find that the use of a body ball which i lay prone on and roll as far as i can till my head touches the ground to help in case i can feel it comming on as well as an evening routine which i do as well as rolling my neck in circles and working my upper body.

I also found that as i got older my episodes became less violent(only the pain in face/neck are present with numbness of face, tongue and sometimes arms.) I find looking over my shoulder for an extended period of time to be my trigger mostly. When i was younger it would effect my whole side of body causing me to fall, or loose balance as well as become ill or faint because the pain was so great. I have stuggled more with it growing up.

I would tell you to go to your doctor get it checked out and find out  what you should look for. It helps to journal as well as to make note of what you were doing and what it felt like. It always felt like i jerked my head real fast. also something to look for is how you hold your head. Many times i put my chin up to relieve stress on my neck(or so it feels) but i was told to not do this.

Go in and become educated. E mail me-im interested to talk to someone with the same syndrome....ive never met anyone else.

***@****

[andersv13]

This is exactly my case. I am now 33 and it is hard work to hold my head up on a daily basis...I would like to know more about your diagnosis. valerie.***@****. Thank you