Late appearance of dropped head syndrome after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease

Muscle Nerve. 2006 Nov;34(5):666-9. doi: 10.1002/mus.20623.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brachial Plexus / physiopathology
  • Brachial Plexus / radiation effects
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / etiology
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / pathology
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Connective Tissue / pathology
  • Connective Tissue / physiopathology
  • Connective Tissue / radiation effects
  • Female
  • Head Movements / physiology
  • Head Movements / radiation effects*
  • Hodgkin Disease / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / radiation effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology*
  • Muscle Weakness / pathology
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology*
  • Muscular Atrophy / pathology
  • Muscular Atrophy / physiopathology
  • Neck Muscles / pathology
  • Neck Muscles / physiopathology
  • Neck Muscles / radiation effects*
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / physiopathology
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / radiation effects
  • Time