Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a very late delayed effect of radiation therapy.
Cerebral necrosis is a well-known delayed sequela of radiation to the central nervous system. Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage occurring several years after radiation is rare; however, with increased survival, this complication will become more common. We report a child who developed a brain-stem hemorrhage 4.5 years following radiation therapy for brainstem tumor. The possible pathogenesis for the spontaneous hemorrhage is discussed. The onset of the neurologic symptoms in this setting occurs later than the usual symptoms of radiation necrosis. It is important to recognize this entity as a late delayed complication of radiation therapy and not to mistake it for tumor recurrence.
Chung
E
E
Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown.
Bodensteiner
J
J
Hogg
J P
JP
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed