Sacral plexus injury after radiotherapy for carcinoma of cervix.
A 42-year-old woman developed lower extremity weakness and sensory loss 1 year after external and intracavitary radiotherapy for Stage IB carcinoma of cervix. She has been followed for 5 years posttreatment, and the neurologic abnormalities have persisted, but no evidence of recurrent carcinoma has been found. We believe this to be a rare case of sacral plexus radiculopathy developing as a late complication after radiotherapy. Suggestions are made for improving the radiotherapy technique to prevent this complication in future cases.
Stryker
J A
JA
Department of Radiology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey 17033.
Sommerville
K
K
Perez
R
R
Velkley
D E
DE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*