What Researchers Did
Researchers described two cases of severe laryngeal and pharyngeal radionecrosis, occurring after surgery and radiation therapy for palatine tonsil carcinoma, that were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
In both cases (100%) of severe radionecrosis, complete resolution of postradiation changes was observed after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The study also described the basic tissue changes caused by radiation therapy and the healing mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients suffering from severe radionecrosis following radiation therapy for head and neck cancers might potentially benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This treatment could offer a non-surgical option for resolving debilitating post-radiation complications in the larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in Poland and does not involve Canadian researchers or participants.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation of this study is its very small sample size, consisting of only two descriptive cases, which prevents generalization of the findings.