Villaret’s syndrome after ionizing radiation in the adjuvant treatment of lung malignancy. Case report.

Context: Villaret’s syndrome is characterized by neuronal dysfunction in the posterior retroparotid space, where the external carotid arteries, internal jugular veins, the cervical sympathetic trunk and the following cranial pairs IX, X, XI, XII pass. Symptoms may vary depending on the location and extent of the lesions. This case report was approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidade Metropolitana de Santos. Case Report: The present case refers to a female patient, 54 years old, who presented with an insidious and progressive onset of dysphagia, dysphonia and ageusia during adjuvant radiotherapy treatment for malignant lung cancer. The neurological examination showed miosis with ptosis and enophthalmos, weakness of the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, palate paresis and atrophy of the right tongue. Clinical diagnosis of Villaret Syndrome was performed. Complementary and imaging tests were normal. Villaret’s syndrome presents a variety of nosological entities, the most common being neoplastic and involving the posterior retroparotid space. Other causes such as vascular, infectious, immunomediated are described. The patient in question has a probable etiology by ionizing radiation in a structure close to the posterior retroparotid space. Conclusions: After 6 months of radiotherapy and symptomatic treatment, she presented with clinical stabilization.