Transient radiation-induced severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract

Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer can trigger or worsen obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to factors such as neurological impairment, muscle atrophy, edema, and xerostomia. We present a case in which a patient developed severe OSA three months after undergoing radiochemotherapy and neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right lingual tonsil with regional metastasis. Polysomnography confirmed severe OSA. Unfortunately, the patient did not adhere to the recommended treatment. The symptoms persisted for six months but then, unexpectedly, resolved completely. A follow-up polysomnography conducted one year after radiotherapy showed no evidence of OSA. This case suggests that a recent diagnosis of OSA following head and neck radiotherapy may not be permanent and should not necessarily lead to a lifelong prognosis of sleep-related breathing disorders.