Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid bone: a report of 3 cases.
OBJECTIVE
Osteonecrosis of the hyoid bone is an uncommon disease that has only been described occasionally in the literature.


METHODS
We report 3 cases of osteonecrosis of the hyoid bone after radiation therapy for carcinoma at various sites in the head and neck region.


RESULTS
Imaging computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for all 3 cases and did aid in the diagnosis. In 1 case, a 201thallium scintigraphy and a bone scan (99mtechnetium-diphosphonate) were performed and this confirmed the diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid bone may be misdiagnosed as recurrent neoplasm. Although recurrent or persistent neoplastic disease must initially be ruled out, it is subsequently important to correctly identify osteonecrosis of the hyoid bone, because its surgical treatment is simple and the prognosis is good.
Monceaux
G
G
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Tenon Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Saint Antoine, University Paris VI, France.
Périé
S
S
Montravers
F
F
Angelard
B
B
Corlieu
P
P
St Guily
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed