Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid presenting as a cause of intractable neck pain following radiotherapy and the role of magnetic resonance image scanning to aid diagnosis

W K Smith; A G Pfleiderer; B Millet

doi:10.1258/002221503322683975

Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid presenting as a cause of intractable neck pain following radiotherapy and the role of magnetic resonance image scanning to aid diagnosis

J Laryngol Otol. 2003 Dec;117(12):1003-5. doi: 10.1258/002221503322683975.

Authors

W K Smith¹, A G Pfleiderer, B Millet

Affiliation

¹ Department of Otolaryngology, Edith Cavell Hospital, Peterborough, UK.

PMID: 14738619
DOI: 10.1258/002221503322683975

Abstract

Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid has been reported rarely in the worldwide literature. We present the case of a 56-year-old gentleman who presented with intractable neck pain, following surgery and radiotherapy for a T(2)N(2c)M(0) tongue base carcinoma, to highlight the need to consider osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid rather than recurrence of the carcinoma as the cause of such symptoms. The previously unreported appearance of osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid on a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan and the use of this investigation to aid diagnosis is discussed.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Fatal Outcome
Humans
Hyoid Bone / pathology*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Male
Middle Aged
Neck Pain / etiology*
Osteoradionecrosis / complications*
Osteoradionecrosis / diagnosis*
Pain, Intractable / etiology*
Tongue Neoplasms / radiotherapy