Basal meningitis and hydrocephalus: Complications of external beam radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is a rare complication of external beam radiation therapy to anterior skull base lesions. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common malignancies in Hong Kong. External beam radiotherapy is the established standard treatment for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The present study reports one of the fatal complications of radiotherapy, basal meningitis. Clinical presentation and pathogenesis of this rare complication leading to mortality will be discussed. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 College of Surgeons of Hong Kong.