Osteoradionecrosis of the cervical spine resulting from radiotherapy for primary head and neck malignancies: operative and nonoperative management. Case report.

What Researchers Did

Researchers reported three cases of cervical spine osteoradionecrosis following radiotherapy for primary head and neck malignancies, detailing their operative and nonoperative management.

What They Found

Two patients with severe spinal deformity and cord compression, who underwent surgical reconstruction with a vascularized fibular graft and instrumentation followed by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, achieved fusion, restored spinal stability, and resolved neurological dysfunction at 2- and 4-year follow-ups. The third patient, who experienced pain and dysphagia without instability or neurological deficits, improved with HBO therapy alone.

Canadian Relevance

This case report does not have a direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

As a case report involving only three patients, the findings have limited generalizability to a broader patient population.