Two Cases of Delayed Post-radiation Lower Cranial Nerve Palsies.
- Author:
Hyung Jun PARK
1
;
Ki Han KWON
;
Yang Ki MIN
;
Bum Chun SUH
;
Dong Suk SHIM
;
Seung Min KIM
;
Il Nam SUNWOO
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. sunwooin@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Radiation;
Cranial nerve disease;
Myokymia
- MeSH:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis;
Brain;
Bulbar Palsy, Progressive;
Cranial Nerve Diseases;
Cranial Nerves;
Denervation;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Muscles;
Myokymia;
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms;
Recurrence
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
2008;26(1):55-58
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Radiation-induced lower cranial neuropathy shows a clinical presentation similar to tumor recurrence or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We experienced two patients with bulbar palsies several years after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of tumor recurrence. Electrophysiologic studies demonstrated mild denervation changes and myokymic discharges in muscles innervated by cranial nerves. Bulbar palsies progressed for 1 year then became stable. We emphasize the importance of myokymic discharges in the differential diagnosis of radiation-induced cranial neuropathy as radiation plexopathies.
