[Post-radiation choanal stenosis].

OBJECTIVE

Description of a rare complication of radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinomas and the therapeutic value of surgical endoscopic desobstruction.

CASE REPORT: A choanal stenosis observed in an 8-year-old boy, 3 years after radiation therapy and chemotherapy for a voluminous nasopharyngeal carcinoma. No initial involvement of the nasal fossa was observed. Concomitant relapse was excluded after clinical and histological examination.

RESULTS

A good functional result was achieved after the choana was unblocked in videoendoscopic surgery. After 9 months of follow-up, the breathing and odor functions remained intact.

CONCLUSION

Choanal stenosis is a rare complication of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Relapse should be excluded with biopsies beyond the stenosis. Treatment is based on endoscopic surgery.