High-dose intravenous steroid regimen for radiation-induced hypoglossal nerve palsy

Hypoglossal nerve palsies are infrequent complications of head and neck radiotherapy. Treatments focus on maintaining function and prevention of abnormal airway-related swallowing events.

A patient with longstanding cranial neuropathies, including bilateral hypoglossal involvement, secondary to chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, experienced repeated episodes of life-threatening complications. Initially, 2 courses of 2 weekly 24-hour intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) infusions were administered 2 years apart. We report the results of a third course comprising 5 weekly cycles.

Patient-reported outcomes revealed significant improvement in swallowing function, speech, and psychosocial status. Airway invasion during swallowing and pharyngeal retention were assessed videofluoroscopically and evaluated using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and a residue rating scale, respectively. PAS ratings after infusions 2 and 5, improved dramatically from baseline and were maintained at 1-year follow-up.

High doses of IVMP may improve radiation-induced neuropathies. Further testing in similar patients is needed to prove reproducibility. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: E23-E28, 2017.