Intralingual injection of particulate fascia for tongue paralysis.

Abstract

This article reports for the first time in the medical literature an intralingual injection for the treatment of tongue paralysis. Hemiatrophy of the tongue produces a disabling problem of dysarthria and dysphagia because of discoordinated tongue movement, poor contact pressure, and areas of dead space. If a reversible neurologic etiology is not found, the patient may benefit from speech therapy, although recovery is often incomplete. In this case report, repeat injections of 80 mg of 0.5 mm preserved particulate fascia (Fascian) into the paralyzed half-tongue improved lingual symmetry and the patient's overall control of the tongue.