European journal of neurology : the official journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies
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Review Case Reports
Isolated, unilateral, reversible palsy of the hypoglossal nerve.
We report three patients with isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy who experienced an excellent outcome. In two patients no cause was found. Our study seems to confirm that the occurrence of benign and idiopathic isolated unilateral palsy of the hypoglossal nerve is more frequent than previously reported. We would like to stress that neuroimaging studies remain mandatory in order to exclude other common causes, such as tumour and spontaneous or traumatic vascular lesions, in which a specific treatment is necessary.
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On the basis of polygraphic findings, it has been suggested that periodic leg movements during sleep are not responsible for sleep impairment (Lugaresi et al., 1972). However, for some authors it is an important cause of insomnia (Guilleminault et al., 1975; Coleman, 1982). Thus, the relationship between periodic leg movements during sleep, sleep disruption and the complaint of patients is particularly complex. ⋯ Short lasting awakenings were significantly more frequent during periodic leg movements associated sleep whilst long lasting awakenings were equally frequent during sleep with and without periodic leg movements. The percentage of the four electroencephalogram (EEG) activities (delta, theta, alpha and spindles) did not show any significant difference between periodic leg movements associated and not associated with sleep stages and total sleep time. The lack of significant differences in both the macro- and micro-structure of sleep and EEG activity content regarding the association with movements confirm the hypothesis that periodic leg movements did not primarily cause sleep disturbance.