Rowin J, Cheng G, Lewis SL, Meriggioli MN. Late appearance of dropped head syndrome after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.
Muscle Nerve 2006;
34:666-9. [PMID:
16897763 DOI:
10.1002/mus.20623]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We present three cases of dropped head syndrome that occurred as a complication of mantle field (i.e., lymph nodes of the neck, axillae, and mediastinum) or whole-body radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease. These cases are characterized by a late onset (2-27 years after radiation treatment), fibrosis, and contraction of the anterior cervical muscles, and atrophy of the posterior neck and shoulder girdle. This report adds to the increasing literature about the late neurological complications of radiation therapy and describes a previously unrecognized cause of dropped head syndrome.
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