Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid bone: imaging findings.
OBJECTIVE
ORN is a postradiation complication that has been well-documented in the medical literature. Most cases in the head and neck have been described in the mandible or larynx. Only a handful of cases in the hyoid bone are documented, all in the clinical literature. Our purpose is to present the clinical and imaging features of ORN involving the hyoid bone.


METHODS
We present a case series of 13 patients with imaging findings highly suggestive of hyoid ORN after radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, in which we observed progressive features of hyoid disruption along with adjacent soft-tissue ulceration.


RESULTS
Pretreatment imaging, when available, showed a normal hyoid. Typical postradiation imaging findings included an initial tongue base ulcerative lesion with air approaching the hyoid bone, and subsequent observation of hyoid fragmentation, often with intraosseous or peri-hyoid air and the absence of associated mass-like enhancement.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of hyoid fragmentation, cortical disruption, and soft tissue or intraosseous air in the postradiation therapy patient should strongly suggest the diagnosis of hyoid ORN. It is important recognize this entity because the diagnosis may preclude potentially harmful diagnostic intervention and allow more appropriate therapy.
Yoo
J S
JS
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA.
Rosenthal
D I
DI
Mitchell
K
K
Ginsberg
L E
LE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014059:Tongue / Q000528:radiation effects