Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea after chemoradiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer

Abstract

This report presents a case of worsening obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) post-chemoradiation therapy that improved significantly after placement of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator. The patient was a 66-year-old male, diagnosed with head and neck cancer, who experienced exacerbation of OSA after receiving chemoradiation. A hypoglossal nerve stimulator was placed, with minimal complications. The patient showed a significant improvement in OSA as exhibited by the reduction in apnea–hypopnea index. Hypoglossal nerve stimulator placement appears to be a potential treatment option for induced or worsened OSA, which is a known complication of head and neck cancer treatment. When considering treatment options, upper airway stimulation is indeed a possible method in patients who meet the recommended guideline criteria.