[Osteoradionecrosis of skull base: clinical analysis and experience]

Objective:To discuss the diagnosis and treatment process of skull base osteoradionecrosis and improve the recognization of this disease. Method:We reviewd skull base and nasopharyngeal osteoradionecrosis in 7 patients retrospectively, including 5 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 1 squamous cell carcinoma of sphenoid sinus, 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma; 6 patientd received skull base debridement surgery and the other one attempted but failed because of her unstable condition. Result:Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 31 months （mean 11.5 month）. During the review time, 2 patients died, 1 patient still had osteoradionecrosis with partly alleviated clinical symptom. At the latest follow-up visit, she was diagnosed as tumor recurrence and was advised to take targeted therapy by multi-discipline team; the symptom was significant improved in the rest of the patients. Conclusion:Osteoradionecrosis of skull base is often associated with other post-radiotherapy related complications. Once diagnosed definitely, extensive skull base debridement surgery should be performed in early time, which can significantly relieve symptoms, improve living quality and reduce the incidence of lethal complications.