CHONDRORADIONECROSIS OF THE LARYNX - STILL A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA

Following radiation treatment for carcinoma of the larynx it may be ve ry difficult to differentiate between persistent or recurrent tumour a nd severe radiation effects particularly chondroradionecrosis. Despite repeated negative biopsy it may be necessary to perform total larynge ctomy where the concern about persistent cancer remains and the larynx is non-functioning. We report nine cases presenting as chondroradione crosis over a five-year period. Two patients settled on medical treatm ent. Of seven patients treated with laryngectomy the histology on two revealed residual or recurrent carcinoma. We outline the dilemmas in d iagnosis and propose management strategies to deal with this condition including recommendations for prevention and treatment.