title: Vasodepressor syncope and recurrent pharyngeal carcinoma: a form of carotid sinus syndrome?
abstract: Syncope occurring in the setting of head and neck malignancy may have several possible causes. Local effects of a tumour in the parapharyngeal area may produce a syncopal syndrome similar to carotid sinus hypersensitivity, but with distinctive differentiating features. This article presents a case of profound vasodepressor syncope in a patient with recurrent pharyngeal malignancy, and discusses the mechanisms by which this occurs and the possible therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Lancashire Cardiac Centre. mluckie@doctors.net.uk
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luckie
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brack
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002346:Carotid Sinus; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome