Post‐radiation perichondritis and cartilage necrosis of the larynx

Under certain circumstances laryngeal cartilage damage following radiation therapy can take place. Two cases of post‐radiation perichondritis with cartilage necrosis are reported, and the factors predisposing to its development, the methods of treatment, and the techniques of radiation therapy are discussed. The danger of repeated intralaryngeal manipulation in the radiation patient is stressed. The authors advise that T1N0 and T2N0 laryngeal lesion be treated with 6,000 rads over a three to five‐week period. Homogeneity is achieved in the treated volume by employing wedged filters. Surgery is advised in T3 or larger lesions usually after preoperative cobalt radiation.