Phlegmon Formation as an Unforeseen Complication Following Radiotherapy of the Hypopharynx

Michelle Misri, Karina Awdi and Małgorzata Leszczyńska

Department of Otolaryngology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

^*Correspondance to: Michelle Misri 

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Abstract:

Phlegmon is an extremely rare and usually unforeseen complication in patients with malignant neoplasms, who undergo radiotherapy. The condition is usually of a bacterial origin and its formation may be precipitated by an impaired immune system. In this case report, we present a 54-year-old male who has undergone radiotherapy treatment for squamous cell carcinoma in the tonsil-lingual angle. Four months later, the patient developed radionecrosis with subsequent edema, bleeding, epithelial changes, as well as signs of acute infection that rapidly spread from neck to chest and the stomach. Ultimately, the patient has been diagnosed with radionecrosis and phlegmon complicated by radiotherapy and poor health status. Our primary interest was to investigate why the patient has developed a phlegmon, as this is a very atypical consequence following radiotherapy. We refer to the literature to determine if a similar case has been reported in the head and neck area. We suspect that the etiology related to the radiation therapy is complicated by the patient’s compromised immune system.

Keywords:

Radionecrosis; Phlegmon; Oncology

Cite the Article:

Misri M, Awdi K, Leszczyńska M. Phlegmon Formation as an Unforeseen Complication Following Radiotherapy of the Hypopharynx. Clin Oncol. 2020; 5: 1695.