What Researchers Did
Researchers described the case of a patient who developed severe bone damage in their neck 32 years after radiation therapy for thyroid cancer, and discussed treatment options including surgery and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
They observed a patient who presented with severe neck deformity, specifically cervical kyphosis with C3/C4 and C4/C5 anterolisthesis, 32 years after receiving radiation for thyroid cancer. The study explored the potential benefits of both anterior and posterior spinal fusion surgery and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in helping to heal this rare complication.
Canadian Relevance
Although this study was not conducted in Canada, it covers osteoradionecrosis, which is a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a case report, this study describes only one patient, meaning its findings cannot be broadly applied to all individuals with osteoradionecrosis.