Case Presentation Corticosteroids as the treatment of Left Hypoglossal Nerve Paralysis in a 35-Year-Old Man Following a Jiu Jitsu Training Maneuver

This case report describes a rare instance of isolated left hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) paralysis in a 35-year-old male following a jiu jitsu training session. The patient presented with acute-onset dysarthria and tongue deviation to the left. Physical examination revealed unilateral tongue weakness without other neurological deficits. Imaging studies ruled out structural lesions, suggesting a traumatic neuropraxia mechanism. The patient showed significant improvement with conservative management (corticosteroids and antibiotics) over 8 weeks. Isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy is rare and often prompts evaluation for neoplastic, vascular, infectious, or traumatic causes. We report a unique case of post-traumatic hypoglossal neuropathy following neck manipulation during martial arts activity, with no identifiable lesion on imaging. This case highlights the importance of recognizing hypoglossal nerve injuries in contact sports and the need for proper neck positioning during grappling maneuvers. Moreover, anatomical, pathophysiological, and therapeutic elements of hypoglossal nerve injuries with emphasis on sports-related trauma are analyzed.