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Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness with spontaneous recovery not requiring specific intervention. Carotid sinus syncope is caused by sudden bradycardia, hypotension due to deranged baro-reflexogenic regulation. Although neck node metastases are common in patients with head and neck cancer, the syncope is very rare phenomenon. We experienced a 51-year-old patient with hypopharyngeal cancer who had been suffered from recurrent syncope not due to central nervous system disease but as a result of neck node metastasis. He had exhaustive diagnostic work-up and was diagnosed as cardio-inhibitory type syncope due to carotid sinus hypersensitivity. After the combination chemotherapy and concurrent irradiation, loss of consciousness and hypotension with sinus arrest disappeared. This is the first case report of carotid sinus syncope associated with head and neck cancer in Korea.(Korean J Med 70:S324-S327, 2006)
Key Words : Head and neck neoplasms, Neoplasm metastasis, Syncope |
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