Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid bone: a report of 3 cases

Abstract

Purpose: Osteonecrosis of the hyoid bone is an uncommon disease that has only been described occasionally in the literature.

Materials and methods: We report 3 cases of osteonecrosis of the hyoid bone after radiation therapy for carcinoma at various sites in the head and neck region.

Results: Imaging computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for all 3 cases and did aid in the diagnosis. In 1 case, a 201thallium scintigraphy and a bone scan (99mtechnetium-diphosphonate) were performed and this confirmed the diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis.

Conclusion: Osteoradionecrosis of the hyoid bone may be misdiagnosed as recurrent neoplasm. Although recurrent or persistent neoplastic disease must initially be ruled out, it is subsequently important to correctly identify osteonecrosis of the hyoid bone, because its surgical treatment is simple and the prognosis is good.