Osteoradionecrosis of the cervical spine presenting with quadriplegia in a patient previously treated with radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible and temporal bones has been extensively reported in literature, but cases of avascular necrosis of the cervical spine following radiotherapy to the larynx appear to be extremely rare. A review of the English language literature has shown only one other case where radiotherapy treatment of a laryngeal carcinoma has resulted in osteoradionecrosis of the cervical spine.


METHODS
We present the case of a 65 year old male patient who suffered from osteoradionecrosis of the cervical spine 20 years after radiotherapy treatment for a T1aN0M0 laryngeal carcinoma resulting in quadriplegia.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiotherapy carries a long-term risk of complications, including osteoradionecrosis which may present 20 years later with significant implications.
van Wyk
Frederik Carl
FC
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust Eastern Road, Brighton UK.
Sharma
Manu-Priya
MP
Tranter
Robert
R