Radiation-Induced Painful Neurogenic Hypertrophy Treated With Botulinum Toxin A

Painful neurogenic hypertrophy is a rare complication of radiation therapy. We report a 27-year-old woman with a history of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submandibular gland presented with painful twitching of her left shoulder. Electrodiagnostic studies were consistent with a diagnosis of radiati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of clinical neuromuscular disease Vol. 19; no. 3; p. 135
Main Authors Filippakis, Alexandra, Ho, Doreen T, Small, Juan E, Small, Kirstin M, Ensrud, Erik R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.03.2018
Subjects
Adult
Botulinum Toxins, Type A - therapeutic use
Female
Humans
Hypertrophy - complications
Hypertrophy - diagnostic imaging
Hypertrophy - etiology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neuromuscular Agents - therapeutic use
Pain - complications
Pain - drug therapy
Pain - etiology
Radiation
Radiotherapy - adverse effects
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Summary:Painful neurogenic hypertrophy is a rare complication of radiation therapy. We report a 27-year-old woman with a history of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submandibular gland presented with painful twitching of her left shoulder. Electrodiagnostic studies were consistent with a diagnosis of radiation-induced spinal accessory nerve hyperactivity. The patient failed conventional medical therapy. She was treated with an injection of botulinum toxin A, and within 1 month experienced significant relief of symptoms. We thus conclude that Botulinum toxin is a therapeutic option for the pain associated with radiation-induced peripheral nerve hyperactivity.
ISSN:1537-1611
DOI:10.1097/CND.0000000000000191