title: Delayed radiation-induced bulbar palsy.
abstract: We report a man with a slowly progressive bulbar palsy 14 years after radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Electromyography demonstrated prominent myokymic and neuromyotonic discharges in muscles innervated by the lower cranial nerves. Late effects of radiation therapy can occur in the cranial nerve musculature that are similar to well-recognized syndromes affecting the brachial plexus and spinal cord.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rordorf
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schwamm
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Preston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010244:Bulbar Palsy, Progressive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004576:Electromyography; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019838:Neck Injuries; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes