Thorotrast Granuloma of the Pharynx with Left Total Recurrent Paralysis, 18 Years after Angiography
Development of tumors following use of Thorotrast (colloidal ThO2) as a contrast medium for arteriography is reviewed, and a new case is presented. It concerns a 25yr-old man who at the age of 7 yr was subjected to cerebral arteriography because of a suspected brain tumor. Symptoms included persistent hoarseness and recurrent nasopharyngeal infections. Inspection of the pharynx revealed a smooth diffuse swelling of the left posterior hypopharynx, hard on palpation, not painful, and not connected with the mucousal lining. It resembled an osteoma of fibroma, originating from cervical vertebrae. X-ray photos showed a dense oblong contrast shadow from the base of the skuil down to the neurovascular bundle along the left carotid artery. Re-examination at regular intervals, after 2 yr did not show any increase of the pharyngeal swelling. Excision of the granuloma was impossible because of its diffuse localization amid vital structures. This case of granuloma of the hypopharynx with left paralysis of the recurrent nerve, occurring 18 yr after carotid arteriography from paravascular spilling of Thorotrast into the tissues around the neurovascular bundle, illustrates the hazards of this contrast medium and the importance of eliciting a history of its use in unexplained vocal cord paralysis.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-035547
- OSTI ID:
- 4657644
- Journal Information:
- ORL - Journal for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Its Borderlands, Journal Name: ORL - Journal for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Its Borderlands Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 24; ISSN 0301-1569
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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