| Author/Editor | Rapidis, Alexander D.; Dijkstra, Pieter U.; Roodenburg, Jan L.; Rodrigo, Juan Pablo; Rinaldo, Alessandra; Strojan, Primož; Takes, Robert P.; Ferlito, Alfio | |
| Title | Trismus in patients with head and neck cancer | |
| Type | članek | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 40, št. 6 | |
| Publication year | 2015 | |
| Volume | str. 516-526 | |
| ISSN | 1749-4478 - Clinical otolaryngology : official journal of ENT-UK ; official journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Trismus indicates severely restricted mouth opening of any etiology. A mouth opening of 35 mm or less should be regarded as trismus. Aim of the present study was to review the etiopathogenesis, incidence, treatment and prevention of trismus in head and neck cancer patients. OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW: Trismus is frequently seen in patients suffering from malignant tumors of the head and neck. The reported prevalence of trismus in those patients varies considerably in the literature and ranges from 0-100% depending on the tumor site and extension. Trismus may worsen or remain the same over time, or the symptoms may reduce, even in the absence of treatment. When a patient presents with trismus after tumor treatment, it is important to determine whether the trismus is the result of the treatment, or is the first sign of a recurrence. Restricted mouth opening may impede inspection of the oral cavity as needed for dental care, and particularly for oncologic follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Mouth opening after radiotherapy decreases on average by approximately 20% compared to mouth opening prior to radiotherapy. The prevalence of trismus increases with increasing doses of radiotherapy to mastication structures. The use of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy seems to lower the percentage and severity of radiotherapy induced trismus. Treatment of trismus can be conservative (either medical or with physical therapy) or surgical. Exercise therapy is the mainstay of treatment and exercise should start as soon as possible after treatment. The prevention of trismus, rather than its treatment, is the most important objective | |
| Keywords | rak glave in vratu eksercizna terapija radioterapija sekvenčna radioterapija head and neck cancer exercise therapy IMRT radiotherapy |