Radiation Necrosis of the Lateral Skull Base and Temporal Bone

Marc W Herr; Aurora G Vincent; Meghan A Skotnicki; Yadranko Ducic; Spiros Manolidis

doi:10.1055/s-0040-1721763

Radiation Necrosis of the Lateral Skull Base and Temporal Bone

Semin Plast Surg. 2020 Nov;34(4):265-271. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1721763. Epub 2020 Dec 24.

Authors

Marc W Herr¹, Aurora G Vincent², Meghan A Skotnicki³, Yadranko Ducic², Spiros Manolidis⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery & Microvascular Reconstruction, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington.
² Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, Fort Worth, Texas.
³ Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Kettering Health Network, Dayton, Ohio.
⁴ Neurotology, Head and Neck Surgery, Fort Worth, Texas.

Abstract

Radiation therapy plays a critical role in the treatment of malignancies involving the head and neck. Although the therapeutic effects of ionizing radiation are achieved, normal tissues are also susceptible to injury and significant long-term sequelae. Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone (ORNTB) is among the many complications that can arise after therapy. ORNTB is a debilitating and potentially lethal condition that continues to challenge patients and treating physicians. Herein, we review the pathophysiology, presentation, work-up, and management of ORNTB.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; osteoradionecrosis; reconstructive surgery; temporal bone cancer.

Publication types

Review