Case of three delayed complications of radiotherapy: bilateral vocal cord immobility, esophageal obstruction and ruptured pseudoaneurysm of carotid artery

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2009 Aug;36(4):505-8. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2008.11.005. Epub 2008 Dec 30.

Abstract

We report the first case of three delayed complications following irradiation for laryngeal carcinoma: bilateral vocal cord immobility, obstruction of esophagus and spontaneously ruptured pseudoaneurysm of common carotid artery. Medial fixation of bilateral vocal cords and stenosis of cervical esophagus were noted at 28 years after radiotherapy. Spontaneous rupture of a pseudoaneurysm bulging into the hypopharynx and obstruction of the esophagus occurred at 35 years after irradiation. The life-threatening hemorrhage was successfully treated by microcoil embolization of the common carotid artery. The relationship between these complications and irradiation is also discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology*
  • Angiography
  • Carcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Carotid Artery, Common
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / instrumentation
  • Endoscopy
  • Esophageal Stenosis / etiology*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Nasopharynx / pathology
  • Radiation Injuries / complications*
  • Rupture / etiology
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / etiology*