Radiation Therapy Influences Parapharyngeal Space Lesions Syncope-syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

We report on the case of a 68-year-old male patient with repeating attacks of syncope caused by the growth of parapharyngeal space lymph node metastases from oropharyngeal cancer. He received chemotherapy after a tumor resection. After that, he received radiation therapy for metastases to cervical lymph node and cervical spine. Because he was not able to consume a meal, he was hospitalized but started repeating syncope attacks with severe headaches. According to the CT images, it was suspected that this syndrome was caused by parapharyngeal space lymph node metastases, and radiation therapy was provided. After the therapy, the attacks of syncope disappeared and didn’t reappear for three months before the death. We recommend that the examination for head and neck malignancy should be done when repeating syncope attack occurs, and radiation therapy can be the choice for the symptom relief in such cases.