The Unknown but Benign Tapia Syndrome

Tapia syndrome is a rare and unknown entity characterized by unilateral paralysis of the hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerves.We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who underwent rhinoplasty with endotracheal intubation.Immediately after surgery, she showed dysphonia and difficulty chewing.Physical examination revealed a left-sided weakness of the tongue muscles and unilateral vocal cord and arytenoid paresis.Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal.The diagnosis of Tapia syndrome was withheld, and the patient evolved favorably with physiotherapy exercises.