Progressive Deterioration of Intellect and Motor Function Occurring Several Decades After Cranial Irradiation: A New Facet in the Clinical Spectrum of Radiation Encephalopathy

• Published in: Archives of neurology (Chicago) Vol. 53; no. 8; pp. 814 - 818
• Main Authors: Duffey, Philip, Chari, Ganesh, Cartlidge, Niall E. F, Shaw, Pamela J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL American Medical Association 01.08.1996
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - radiation effects; Brain Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Brain Diseases - etiology; Cranial Irradiation - adverse effects; Diseases of the nervous system; Female; Humans; Intelligence - radiation effects; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Necrosis - diagnostic imaging; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Human; Nervous system diseases; Attitude; Motor system disorder; Radiotherapy; Long term; Cerebral disorder; Case study; Encephalopathy; Central nervous system disease; Secondary effect; Neurological disorder; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0003-9942; 1538-3687
• DOI: 10.1001/archneur.1996.00550080140022

OBJECTIVE: To report the cases of 2 patients who developed the features of radiation encephalopathy 33 and 28 years after cranial irradiation. DESIGN: Case reports; clinical data were available for 2 years in each instance. CONCLUSION: Latent intervals approaching 2 decades have been reported in cases of radiation necrosis following cranial irradiation, but a similar or greater delay before the onset of radiation encephalopathy has not been described previously. This report indicates that a diagnosis of radiation encephalopathy must be considered when any individual who has received cranial irradiation presents with deterioration in intellectual or motor function, whatever the interval.