Delayed cervicobulbar neuronopathy and myokymia after head and neck radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION

Delayed progressive cervicobulbar palsy with secondary lingual, facial, and neck myokymia after radiation therapy to the head and neck is a known but rare event with few reported case descriptions.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case with a video description of a young Asian woman who developed progressive dysarthria and dysphagia after approximately 1 year after radiation treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Her symptoms, clinical, and electromyographic findings are discussed and were felt to be secondary to a cervicobulbar neuronopathy secondary to the previous radiation she received. A brief literature review was performed and pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment options are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Delayed progressive cervicobulbar neuronopathy with myokymia is an uncommon complication of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Clinicians should be aware of this entity to prevent misdiagnosis with other neuromuscular and nonneuromuscular diseases.